Summary
Salado Elementary in San Antonio, TX, is a PK-5 school in the East Central Independent School District (Isd) serving 688 students in a high-poverty area, where over 80% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has achieved a remarkable turnaround, climbing from the 23rd percentile statewide in 2021-2022 to the 69th percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 3-star rating. This consistent upward trajectory shows that deliberate strategies are working, making Salado a standout performer compared to many nearby schools.
Salado’s academic performance in reading and math consistently exceeds both district and state averages, setting it apart from struggling neighbors like Sinclair Elementary (16th percentile) and Pecan Valley Elementary (27th percentile). For example, in 5th-grade reading, Salado achieved 60% proficiency versus the state average of 58.47%, while Sinclair and Pecan Valley lagged at 46.73% and 44.62%, respectively. The school also excels with historically underserved groups, ranking in the 89th percentile for African American students and the 75th percentile for low-income students, effectively closing achievement gaps. Its only higher-performing district neighbor is Highland Forest Elementary, which jumped to the 85th percentile, suggesting strong district-wide initiatives in East Central ISD.
Salado’s bilingual program is a notable strength, with Spanish-language STAAR scores often far exceeding state averages, such as 62.07% in 5th-grade reading Spanish versus the state’s 32.91%. However, support for English Language Learners in English-taught classes remains an area for growth. Impressively, Salado achieves these results with a per-student spending of $8,599, significantly less than lower-performing schools like Hirsch Elementary ($11,228) and Democracy Prep At Stewart Academy ($13,924), highlighting efficient resource use and effective teaching practices.
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