Harlandale Independent School District (Isd)

The Harlandale Independent School District (ISD) is a large, urban district in San Antonio, Texas, serving 19 schools (9 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high schools) with a high level of economic disadvantage, where an average of 86% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The district ranks in the 16th percentile statewide, but one school stands out dramatically: Harlandale ISD STEM ECHS-Alamo Colleges at PAC ranks in the 85th percentile with a 100% graduation rate and top test scores, all while spending the least per student ($8,735) and having the largest class sizes. In stark contrast, Frank M Tejeda Academy ranks in the 1st percentile with an 80% graduation rate and critically low test scores (e.g., 0% proficient in English I Reading), despite spending the most among standard schools ($15,265). Other struggling schools include Bellaire Elementary and E H Gilbert Elementary, both ranked in the 6th and 4th percentiles respectively.

Key metrics reveal a district-wide mathematics crisis, with 7th-grade Math proficiency at standard middle schools like Harlandale Middle, Terrell Wells Middle, Kingsborough Middle, and A Leal Junior Middle ranging from just 3.57% to 10.64%. However, H W Schulze Elementary shows the most improvement, jumping from the 28th to the 52nd percentile and earning a 3-star rating. The district also includes two small alternative programs, Hac Daep High School and Hac Daep Middle, which have extremely high per-student spending (up to $230,607) due to their specialized mission for at-risk students.

An interesting finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as Frank M Tejeda Academy spends nearly double the district average but has the worst outcomes, while the top-performing Harlandale ISD STEM ECHS-Alamo Colleges at PAC spends the least. Additionally, some schools show inconsistent performance across grade levels, such as Terrell Wells Middle, where 8th-grade Math proficiency is 67% but 7th-grade Math is only 3.57%, suggesting a possible curriculum or teaching issue. For parents, the STEM ECHS is the clear standout for academic excellence, while most other schools face significant challenges, particularly in math, that require careful consideration.