Beard Elementary

Beard Elementary in Helotes, TX, is a high-performing public school serving 499 students in grades PK-5 within the Northside Independent School District (Isd), consistently ranking in the top 10% of Texas elementary schools for the past decade.

Beard Elementary stands out for its exceptional academic consistency and strong test scores. The school has earned a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger every year since 2015-2016, a feat not matched by many nearby schools. For example, in 5th Grade Reading, Beard achieved an 86.79% proficiency rate in 2024-2025, dramatically higher than the district average of 55.42% and the state average of 57.83%. Its closest competitor, Helotes Elementary, also a 5-star school, scored 81.82% in the same subject. While Helotes Elementary slightly surpassed Beard in overall state rank in the most recent year (96th vs. 93rd percentile), Beard’s long-term stability is remarkable—it has never ranked below the 91st percentile in the last ten years. This is in stark contrast to schools like Carnahan Elementary and Boone Elementary, which have recently ranked in the bottom 25-50% of the state.

Beard’s success is driven by factors beyond just spending. The school spends significantly less per student ($8,829) than lower-performing peers like Boone ($11,603) and May Elementary ($11,595), highlighting the importance of effective teaching and strong community support. One area for potential focus is a slight dip in performance for male students, who dropped to the 88th percentile in 2025-2026 from 97th the year prior. Additionally, like many schools in the area, 5th Grade Science scores (52.83% in 2024-2025) are the lowest proficiency area, though still nearly double the district average. Overall, Beard Elementary offers a stable, high-quality education in a supportive Helotes community.