Summary:
This analysis examines three middle schools (Grades 6-8) in the 78228 zip code of San Antonio, Texas: Ross Middle (Northside Independent School District (Isd)), Gus Garcia Middle (Edgewood Independent School District (Isd)), and Longfellow Middle (San Antonio Independent School District (Isd)), all serving high-poverty communities with free/reduced lunch rates between 84% and 96%.
For parents, the standout school is Ross Middle, which offers the smallest class sizes (12.9:1 student-teacher ratio) and the lowest dropout rate (0.9%). It excels in advanced math, with 71-77% of its Algebra I students scoring proficient, far above state averages. However, Longfellow Middle shows the most improvement, rising from the 5th to the 8th percentile in state ranking and achieving the highest Algebra I proficiency (82.35%) in the zip code. Gus Garcia Middle spends the most per student ($13,749) but has the highest dropout rate (2.3%) and the lowest district ranking (4th percentile), indicating that spending alone does not guarantee better outcomes.
A critical finding is the "Algebra I Paradox": all three schools dramatically outperform the state in advanced Algebra I while struggling with grade-level math, especially in 7th grade, where proficiency plummets to as low as 2-6%. Science and Social Studies scores are also alarmingly low, with some 8th-grade proficiency rates below 5%. This suggests a two-tier system where a few students are accelerated, but the majority face significant challenges in core subjects. Parents should consider Ross Middle for its strong advanced programs and smaller classes, while Longfellow Middle offers a promising upward trend.
Thank you for your feedback!