Admission

Apply during 8th, 9th, or 10th Grade.

1. Complete the PISD Academies Application.
2. Students who apply will be placed into the Lottery.
3. Watch for your admission or waitlist decision.

Applications Open: October 1, 2026 @ 12:01 am

Applications Close: November 10, 2026 @ 5:00 pm

Before you apply, consider:

• Readiness for IB:
  • Current Grades
  • MAP Scores
  • STAAR Scores
  • 8th Grade Honors Courses
• Are you ready for a full honors schedule?

There are no required GPA/Grades to Apply!

Instead, take a look at how you're doing right now.

Strong Signs You're Ready:

• Class Grades

  • Mostly As & Bs in your Core Classes

• 8th Grade MAP Scores in Math & Reading
  • Around 70th Percentile or Higher
• STAAR Scores
  • Meets Grade Level or Masters Grade Level
• Not There Yet?  Don't count yourself out.  Consider:
• Do I...
  • Complete my work consistently?
  • Ask for help when I need it?
  • Handle challnging classes without giving up?
  • Want to take a full honors-level schedule?

No!  IB students can come from across the area!

• Live in the Plano East Feeder Zone?
  • You will be able to ride the bus to school
• Live in PISD, but outside the Plano East Feeder Zone?
  • You can attend Plano East for the IB program.
  • Transportation depends on your address.
  • Contact the PISD Transportation Department for more information.
• Live Outside of PISD?
  • You may be able to attend through a PISD Inter-District Transfer.
  • Your family is responsible for transportation.

Yes!

Choosing IB does NOT mean you can only take IB classes.

• AP Courses
  • IB students can take AP courses when they fit into their schedules.
  • All IB 9th graders take AP Human Geography.
  • All IB 10th graders take AP World HIstory.
• AP Exams
  • Some IB courses also prepare students to take an AP Exam in the same or related subject.
• Dual Credit
  • IB students can also take Dual Credit courses - summer can be a great time to fit them in.

Nope!

• Do you want to stay close to home?

  • IB graduates attend universities right here in North Texas and across Texas.
• Do you want to go somewhere new?
  • IB is recognized by universities across the United States.
• Do you want to travel internationally?
  • Want to study abroad?  IB is recognized by universities around the world.

You choose the destination!

IB doesn't determine where you go to college.

It helps you prepare for wherever you decide to go.

Yes!

• Your IB Exam Scores Matter

  • After completing an IB course, you'll receive an IB exam score from 1-7.
  • 4 is considered "passing".
• Colleges Set their Own Policies
  • Depending on the university and your score, you may:
    • Receive College Credit Hours
    • Receive Advanced Credit ("skipping" a course)
    • Receive Credit for Multiple Courses
• Texas Has an Extra Benefit
  • At Texas public colleges & universities, students who earn their IB Diploma qualify for 24+ college credits under Texas Law.
• Check Your Future College
  • Every university is different.
  • Check any college's IB Credit Policy.

Yes!

You can be an IB student and...

• Play a Sport

• Be in Band or Orchestra
• Perform in Theatre or Dance
• Join Debate, Clubs & Organizations
• ... and plenty more!

Some Activities Take Extra Planning

Programs that take up a class period every year - can make your schedule a little trickier.

That's Why We Plan Ahead

We'll help you build your plan that includes the things that matter to you while still meeting IB & PISD graduation requirements.

Yes. IB Exams have a Fee.

• Full IB Diploma

  • 6 Required IB Exams: $740
  • Actual cost may change based on IB fees and exchange rates.
• Free/Reduced Lunch
  • Reduced 6-Exam Cost: $180
• That's about $123 per Exam
  • or about $30 per exam for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch.

These fees are paid over 2 years, depending upon a student's exam schedule.

This is similar to Advanced Placement (AP) exam fees.