Good morning, T.~
May you be welcomed to Allen...my husband, 2 daughters, & I settled in Allen 19-yr. ago, having seen both girls through AISD (first one graduated '07, and second one is a 9-th gr.). We had a fantastic experience at Vaughan Elem., and I'm inclined to feel that Boon Elem. is also excelling at being an EXEMPLARY educational community. Considering the statistics for the 14- and 15-yr. old set (typically drawn to "experimentation"), I find the concept of AISD having set up the 9-th grade in a separate facility extremely helpful in getting our kids ready for higher grades at AHS. At the Lowery Freshman Center, all of the middle schools COME TOGETHER, with expectations of COMMUNITY, and both my daughters are enjoying solid friendships beyond their "elementary buddies." Especially because AHS is such a large school, these 9-th graders share a bond that helps them hold their own among other experienced high schoolers (11-th & 12-th graders). Also, the 10-th grade at AHS is primarily "located" to their "own" section, and that even helps from being unnecessarily distracted and/or "pressured" by slightly older, more experienced peers in 11-th & 12-th. Our family has also found it beneficial that AHS is comprised not only of Allen, but also the surrounding communities of Fairview, Anna, & Melissa (and til recently, Lucas, but now they've opened their own new high school). (Please refer to the Allen ISD website.) To us, AISD has created a healthy sense of community spirit among Allen and its neighboring communities. Allen has many wonderful places to eat, shop, & worship, and the neighboring communities are also part of that. Last of all, ALLEN AND MY NEIGHBORHOOD CAN ALWAYS HANDLE GGRRREAT NEW NEIGHBORS, esp. with many homes for sale. Best wishes, T. & family from Shellie F.