History
Williams High School first served as Plano High School when it was built in 1961. That year the school included grades 8 through 12 and the total enrollment was 390 students. Enrollment grew steadily until the 1965–66 school year when it was 653. The following school year, the campus became a grade 9 through 12 school and enrollment dropped to 555. Two years later, Williams became a grade 10 through 12 facility with 627 students. A new senior high school was completed in 1975 leaving the Williams campus with 938 freshmen and sophomores. Enrollment numbers had reached its zenith in the 1973–74 school year with 1712 pupils. Enrollment has increased over the years and as of the second week of the 2003–04 school year, enrollment has grown to 1633. To quote an administrator from the beginning of the 2008–2009 school year there were, "1,900" students in attendance.
Since its inception, Williams High School has experienced several renovations and additions. In 1961, $911,590 was paid to Avery Mays Construction Co. In 1970, an additional $1,100.000 went to KAS Construction Co. in an attempt to accommodate increased numbers. $279,968 went to Corgan Associates in 1975. JPJ Architects was awarded a construction contract in the amount of $6,116,400 in 1989. Williams High School underwent a $12,634,480 renovation completed July 2003. Williams has recently completed a new addition to its campus as the school population continues to increase. The 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2), two-story Science Addition contains 12 science laboratories accompanied by restrooms and storage areas. The new addition to Williams High School was completed in August 2006 at a cost of $6,630,343.
T. H. Williams, principal from 1961–1968, came to the district in 1936 as a math instructor and coach in the old Plano High School (now the Cox Building). He was head coach from 1943 to 1953, leading his teams to several district and state titles. A new Plano High School was built on 17th street in 1961 at a cost of $993,590. This campus was renamed T. H. Williams High School when the new Plano Senior High opened in 1975. Thomas Howard “Bill” Williams (1902-1992) was honored as a teacher, coach, and principal who had given almost five decades of service to educating youths of Collin County.
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