Adams Hill Elementary

Adams Hill Elementary is a mid-sized PK-5 school in San Antonio, TX, serving 473 students within the Northside Independent School District (Isd). While the school benefits from a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 11.3:1—lower than many nearby schools—its academic performance has been persistently low, ranking in the bottom 20% of Texas elementary schools for the past decade. In the most recent testing year, proficiency rates in Reading and Math were dramatically below district and state averages, with only 17% of 4th graders proficient in Math compared to 45% in the district and 49% statewide.

Despite these challenges, Adams Hill has shown notable success with specific student groups. Historically, its African American students, English Language Learners, and Special Education students have ranked in the 74th to 79th percentiles statewide—a stark contrast to the school’s overall ranking. However, these "bright spots" have recently declined, with Special Education students dropping from the 79th to the 14th percentile in just two years. This suggests that while targeted programs have worked in the past, recent changes may need closer examination.

For context, nearby Big Country Elementary in the Southwest Independent School District (Isd) serves a similar community but achieves dramatically better results, ranking in the 73rd percentile. Meanwhile, other Northside ISD schools in the area—like Cody Elementary, Michael Elementary, and Fisher Elementary—also struggle, suggesting a systemic challenge within this feeder pattern. Interestingly, Adams Hill spends more per student ($11,028) than high-performing Big Country ($10,314) or Idea Burke Academy ($9,233), indicating that funding alone isn’t the issue—how resources are used matters most.