Summary:
In zip code 78219 of San Antonio, Texas, there are two middle schools serving grades 6 through 8: Kirby Middle (grades 7-8) and Kirby Stem Academy 6th Grade (grade 6 only), both part of the Judson Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the 21st percentile statewide. These schools serve a highly economically disadvantaged population, with over 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and both maintain favorable student-teacher ratios around 10.5:1, suggesting potential for individualized attention.
The most striking finding is a sharp contrast in academic performance. While both schools score 15-30 percentage points below state averages in standard grade-level subjects like Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies, Kirby Middle students in advanced courses dramatically outperform district and state peers. For example, in the 2025-2026 school year, 67.86% of Kirby Middle students were proficient in Algebra I (vs. 30.52% district and 54.03% state), and 96.67% were proficient in Biology (vs. 60.91% district and 70.51% state). This indicates an exceptionally effective advanced/accelerated program, though the challenge remains replicating this success across the general student body. Meanwhile, Kirby Stem Academy 6th Grade, despite its STEM focus, shows very low math proficiency—only 13% of 6th graders were proficient in math compared to the state average of 38.57%.
Despite low test scores and a state ranking in the 6th to 9th percentile for Kirby Middle, the school posts a low dropout rate of 0.6% for the 2023-2024 school year, significantly better than the district average of 2.5%. This suggests the school is effective at keeping students enrolled through 8th grade, providing a stable foundation for future improvement. Per-student spending at Kirby Middle was $11,052 for the 2020-2021 school year. Overall, these schools face systemic academic challenges, but the advanced course success and low dropout rate offer bright spots for families considering this area.
Thank you for your feedback!