Summary:
In the 78211 zip code of San Antonio, Texas, two middle schools—A Leal Junior Middle and Dwight Middle—serve grades 6-8 within districts ranked in the bottom 20% of the state, facing significant socioeconomic challenges with over 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
A Leal Junior Middle (part of Harlandale Independent School District (Isd)) stands out as the higher-performing school, ranking in the 24th percentile (1 star) compared to Dwight Middle’s 6th percentile (0 stars). It boasts a lower dropout rate (0.7% vs. 2.9%) and spends more per student ($13,171 vs. $10,880) with a smaller student-teacher ratio (10.3:1 vs. 14.7:1). Its most remarkable feature is Algebra I performance, where 84% of test-takers scored proficient—far exceeding both its district (38%) and the state (54%). In contrast, Dwight Middle (part of South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd)) struggles across most subjects but shows a notable strength in 8th-grade Science, where it outperformed its district and neared the state average in 2024-2025.
Key metrics reveal a clear divide: A Leal Junior Middle outperforms Dwight Middle in reading (e.g., 8th grade: 47% vs. 38%), math (8th grade: 35% vs. 25%), and social studies (33% vs. 9%). However, both schools lag 15-30 percentage points behind state averages in most subjects, reflecting the impact of high poverty rates. Notably, A Leal Junior Middle’s Algebra I success does not translate to general math proficiency, while Dwight Middle’s ranking has dropped sharply from the 17th to 6th percentile over three years, signaling a worsening trend. For parents, A Leal Junior Middle offers stronger academics and resources, while Dwight Middle has isolated bright spots in science but faces deeper challenges.
Thank you for your feedback!