Frisco ISD is proud to recognize 116 members of the Class of 2026 who graduated in December, taking early first steps toward their post-high school future.
Students may want to graduate early for many reasons, and some of Frisco ISD’s early graduates shared their plans with campus counselors last month, each path reflecting individual goals and circumstances.
College athletics were a popular reason: Seven early graduates are moving on to play football, at least three will compete in soccer and at least two are continuing their volleyball careers. Several student-athletes earned full scholarships, opening doors to higher education while continuing to pursue the sports they love.
Many are heading straight to higher education. One is starting at Collin College as a first-generation college student, while another is attending trade school. A Memorial High School graduate shared their excitement about studying to become an EMT, and many are enrolling in four-year universities this spring.
Career plans are taking shape, too, including one grad who plans to enter the field of construction management right away.
Meanwhile, some graduates are taking a gap semester, a break between high school and whatever’s next. And one student who knew they had to move before May decided to get their diploma early so they could graduate from FISD, where they attended school since second grade.
Many campuses expect more early graduates at the end of the year, when some students have worked to graduate in three years instead of four. In the past few years, Frisco ISD has had a number of students graduate early on the Texas First Early Completion Program. Students graduating early who qualify for this program can receive the Texas First Scholarship, which can be used at any Texas public university that the student is accepted to..
Early graduation is possible thanks to students’ hard work, their parents’ support and close collaboration with campus counselors and leadership. Frisco ISD programs such as RAIL, or Reaching All Innovative Learners, help provide the flexibility and guidance students need to accelerate their graduation plans.
While many of FISD’s 116 early grads were celebrated by their individual campuses, they are also welcome to attend May’s graduation ceremonies — allowing families and friends another opportunity to recognize their accomplishments and cheer them on as they begin their next chapter.
Congratulations, early graduates!
- Rachel McReynolds