Summary
Madison Elementary in San Antonio, TX, is a PK-5 school in the San Antonio Independent School District (Isd) serving 457 students in a high-poverty area, where over 94% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This school is a study in contrasts: while its overall state ranking has dropped to the 6th percentile, it boasts a standout bilingual program that produces exceptional results in upper-grade math. For example, in 5th-grade Math on the Spanish STAAR, Madison’s students achieved a 66.7% proficiency rate—more than three times higher than the English score of 21.1% and far exceeding the district (33.7%) and state (22.3%) averages. This "Spanish advantage" is unique among nearby schools like Maverick Elementary and Woodlawn Academy, making Madison a hidden gem for families seeking strong bilingual instruction.
However, the school’s performance is uneven. English reading proficiency tells a "tale of two grades": only 7.5% of 3rd graders were proficient, but by 5th grade, 46.6% reached proficiency—a rate that actually exceeds the district average (43.3%). This dramatic improvement suggests effective interventions in later grades, unlike at Woodlawn Hills Elementary, where 5th-grade reading often lags behind 3rd-grade. Yet, science remains a critical weakness, with only about 11% of students proficient in both English and Spanish, far below the state average of 29.6%. Additionally, the school’s ability to serve English Language Learners is volatile, swinging from the 79th percentile statewide in 2022-2023 to the 9th percentile the next year, a pattern not seen at nearby Fenwick Academy.
Despite spending more per student ($12,220) than peers like Ogden Elementary ($11,193) and maintaining a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, Madison’s overall outcomes are lower than those of Maverick Elementary and Fenwick Academy. This suggests challenges beyond resources, such as student mobility or instructional effectiveness. For parents, Madison offers a powerful bilingual program and late-grade reading growth, but early literacy and science need significant improvement. It’s a school with clear strengths and areas for growth, best suited for families who value its Spanish-language success.
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