How one San Antonio elementary school raised its math scores
Reported bySan Antonio Report
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Highland Forest Elementary, in San Antonio's East Central Independent School District, reports that 74% of its fifth graders met grade level on this year's state math exam. The figure was 47% statewide, 46% in the San Antonio region and 41% in the rest of the district. At the school, the fifth-grade share was 51% in spring 2025 and 25% in 2022. It has earned a second straight A from the state. The principal, who arrived in 2019 when the campus was rated F, credits a state improvement framework, a new math curriculum, and teachers who adjust instruction using frequent data. Practices include daily exit tickets and weekly team meetings to review student results.
The superintendent calls the school a model for districtwide changes. The district received a D rating for 2022-23. Since then it has gone from nine failing schools to three D-rated campuses and none rated F. The board has set goals of no D or F campuses by 2028 and 80% of schools rated A or B by 2030.
The district also faces budget pressure. Officials projected a $7.5 million deficit this year if voters reject a tax rate proposal in November. A similar proposal failed last year, and the district cut elementary librarian posts, central office, transportation and police positions, and unfilled teaching jobs. The superintendent says this approach likely cannot last long term.
Why it matters
The story shows one school's approach to raising math results and how a district is using it as a model. It also shows how budget cuts and an upcoming tax vote could affect class sizes, staffing and school services for families and employees.
- Math achievement
- Test scores
- School ratings
- Budget deficit
- Budget cuts
Written with AI from the publisher's article and may contain errors. The original reporting is the authoritative source.
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- Which practices described at this school could work in other schools, and what would a district need to adapt for different student populations?
- How should a school board weigh state ratings against other measures of what students are learning?
- How should the district balance academic goals with staffing cuts and class sizes if voters reject the tax rate proposal?
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