Hightower
Elementary School
About Us
Hightower Profile
Campus Information
School Hours: 7:40 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
School Colors: Hunter green and gold
Mascot: Tigers
Motto: Hightower tigers targeting excellence.
Year Opened: 1998
Feeder Schools
School Song
Hightower Tigers
Composed by Terry Langfitt
Lift our voices high
Sing our song of praise
Sing of all the memeories
Of Hightower days
Facing every challenge
That put us to the test
Parents, teachers working
To help us do our best
Hightower Tigers
This is who we are
Making dreams our future
Beneath our wishing star
Hightower spirit
Is deep inside of you
No matter what tomorrow brings
It will see us through
Laughing and learning
Working and yearning
Just waiting for the day
When love and determination
Will help us guide our nation
The Hightower way
Hightower Tigers
Proud of who we are
Looking to the future
Beneath our wishing star
Hightower spirit
Is in everything we do
Wherever our lives take us
We'll remember you
History of Hightower Elementary
John F. Hightower and Dr. Myrtle Hightower
Hightower Elementary School was originally named in honor of John Freeman Hightower, an outstanding Plano ISD educator and community leader. The school welcomed its first students on August 3, 1998, and the official dedication ceremony was held on February 8, 1999. On December 7, 2010, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees officially renamed the campus John and Myrtle Hightower Elementary School in recognition of the lasting contributions of both John F. Hightower and Dr. Myrtle Hightower to Plano ISD and the Plano community.
John F. Hightower attended public schools in Oklahoma and graduated from Morton High School in Taft, Oklahoma. As an eighth-grade student, he earned the highest score in Muskogee County on the required state exam, an early sign of his academic excellence.
Mr. Hightower attended Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas, where he graduated cum laude with degrees in biology and mathematics. He later earned a master’s degree in administration from Texas Southern University and completed additional doctoral studies at the University of North Texas and the University of California, Sacramento.
Mr. Hightower began his career in education as a biology teacher in Anton, Texas. He later moved to Plano, where he taught science at Douglass High School. Throughout his career in Plano ISD, he served students and families in many roles, including counselor in the Special Services Department, director of Special Services and coordinator of Ethnic Relations.
In addition to his work in education, Mr. Hightower was actively involved in civic and community affairs throughout Plano. His leadership, service and genuine commitment to others touched the lives of countless students, families and community members.
Dr. Myrtle Hightower began her career in education and community service in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She held several positions in education, including serving as dean of women at her alma mater, Langston University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. She also earned a Master of Teaching degree from Northeastern State University and a PhD from the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Hightower served Plano ISD for many years as both a teacher and counselor. Throughout her career, she participated in numerous committees, boards and community organizations dedicated to supporting students and families in Plano.
Her many honors include being recognized as one of Plano ISD’s 100 Heroes, a Collin College Living Legend and a recipient of the Texas Hero for Children Award. Alongside her late husband, John Hightower, Dr. Hightower became a respected and influential voice in the Plano community through her lifelong dedication to education, service and leadership.
Adapted in part from remarks by Dr. Doug Otto during the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 17, 2011.