The Plano East Speech and Debate program recently ranked number 47 out of more than 3,000 schools nationwide in the National Speech & Debate Association’s (NSDA) Top 100 Schools ranking for the 2023-2024 school year.
According to a Plano ISD news release, this is the most prestigious membership award that the association bestows upon a school.
The ranking is determined through a point system, where students earn Honor Society points and degrees based on participation. Plano East reached 428 points, landing the program with a membership in the association’s 400 Club.
The NSDA reports that students who are in the program are significantly more likely to go to top 10, 25 or 50 colleges.
Last year, Plano West ranked #51, while Plano East ranked #70. Both teams are regularly seen in the top 10 schools in Texas for speech and debate.
Plano West Senior High School was also awarded in the NSDA’s 2024 Schools of Outstanding Distinction, which recognizes the top 10 schools after combining both speech and debate points.
Plano East’s coach is Madison Gackenbach, who has been coaching speech and debate for seven years.