Smith Stem Academy

Smith Stem Academy is an elementary school in Victoria, TX, serving 447 students in grades PK-5 within the Victoria Independent School District (Isd), a district that faces significant challenges compared to others statewide. The school serves a high-poverty community, with about 79% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and its overall state ranking has fluctuated in the bottom third of Texas elementary schools over the past three years.

One of the most notable features of Smith Stem Academy is its inconsistent performance across grade levels. For example, 4th graders recently outperformed both district and state averages in Reading and Math, a stark contrast to much lower scores in 3rd grade. This "4th grade bump" is not seen in most nearby schools, where performance tends to be more stable. However, the school's "STEM" label does not currently reflect a particular strength in Math or Science, as 5th-grade scores in these subjects consistently fall below district and state averages. Compared to its closest neighbor, Rowland Elementary, which has a similar demographic profile, Smith Stem Academy performs slightly better in most recent test scores, particularly in 4th-grade Math and 5th-grade Reading.

A critical concern is the sharp decline in support for Special Education students. In the most recent data, the school's ranking for serving this group plummeted to the 3rd percentile, a dramatic drop from the previous year that suggests a significant change in programming or staffing. On a more positive note, the school has shown a relative strength in serving its low-income students, performing better than many peers with similar challenges. The starkest contrast is with Martin De Leon Elementary, located just over a mile away, which consistently outperforms Smith Stem Academy in every subject and grade level, though it serves a significantly lower percentage of students from low-income households.