Education Choices in SATx
Comparing school districts and education choices involves evaluating academic performance, specialized programs, community support, and housing considerations. Here’s an overview of districts, and education options including charter, magnet and homeschooling.
Top School Districts:
Texas Education Agency (TEA) utilizes an A–F accountability rating system to evaluate the performance. Below are districts with an A-C ranking for the last few years.
Alamo Heights ISD TEA ranking “A” and “B”
Boerne ISD TEA ranking “A”
Comal ISD TEA ranking “A” and “B”
Judson TEA ranking “C”
North East ISD TEA ranking “B” and “C”
Northside ISD TEA ranking “B” and “C”
Randolph TEA ranking “A” and “B”
San Antonio ISD TEA ranking “B” and “C”
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD TEA ranking “B”
Sommerset ISD TEA ranking “A” and “B”
Southside ISD TEA ranking “B” and “C”
Choosing the Right School:
- Academic: Look for districts offering programs that align with your child’s interests, such as STEM, arts, or vocational training.
- Sports & Extracurricular: Consider your students interests to enhance their education.
- Community Support: Engaged communities often contribute to better school resources and student outcomes.
- Housing Costs: Balance the quality of education with affordable housing options.
- Proximity to Work: Consider commute times and transportation options.
Resources to Compare and Research Schools:
- https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolmap/
Site maps all districts in US
Provides data on every school including student/teacher ratio - https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/
Provides data on school districts - https://www.wegopublic.com/region/san-antonio-school-districts-map/
Provides data - https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/m/san-antonio-metro-area/
District comparisons - https://www.greatschools.org/texas/san-antonio/
District comparisons
Charter & Magnet Schools:
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of traditional school district structures under a “charter” or contract with a state or authorizing body. Magnet schools are specialized public schools within a school district that focus on particular themes (e.g., arts, science, health careers).
Basis
- Curriculum that integrates STEM subjects with liberal arts education
Harmony Public Schools
- STEM and college prep
School of Science and Technology (SST)
- Emphasizes STEM education
KIPP Texas Public Schools
- College-preparatory with a focus on underserved communities
Great Hearts
- Classical liberal arts education
Brooks Academies
- Science and engineering-focused curricula
Valor Education
- Classical liberal arts education.
IDEA
- College readiness
San Antonio ISD
- Over 90 choices, including Montessori, dual language, International Baccalaureate (IB), and STEM-focused schools.
North East ISD
- Specialized in areas like cybersecurity, engineering, performing arts, and global studies.
Northside ISD
- Specialized in construction and health careers.
Homeschool Resources:
San Antonio and surrounding areas including the Bulverde and Boerne areas boast a vibrant homeschool community to support families who choose this academic method. Consult the list below which includes sports/athletics, art options and group classes.
Alamo Area Christian
Fridayschool.com