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Background:
Texas has, historically, used a property and sales tax basis for state and local government revenues--there being no state income tax. While there have been many changes to the state constitution over the years, taxes on land, buildings and homes have provided a substantial portion of the operating funds for the public school system. This tax basis lead to the establishment of Independent School Districts each deriving income from the homes and businesses in their attendance areas. Legislation over the past few years has to a degree equalized the income between districts, however, more laws are on the horizon as there is still some inequity in "per student" income.
Independent school districts operate under and are accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in Austin. Elected school boards in each district hire Superintendents to manage the districts on a day to day basis. School attendance is determined by residential address. While it is rare that students may cross district or attendance boundaries, some districts operate "magnate" schools where students may be accepted from other attendance areas within the same district or (in a few cases) from anywhere in the county. Examples of the latter include magnate high schools for high technology, health careers, business careers and the performing/creative arts.
The Texas Education Agency established some years back a program of statewide testing called the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS). This program-while somewhat controversial-has been used in school performance ranking. Individual campuses may be ranked, in descending order: Exemplary, Recognized, Acceptable, and Low Performing. Individual school districts may provide you with information relating to the rankings of schools within their districts.
This information is provided as a public service and not as an endorsement of any particular district. Questions should be directed to the individual schools or districts.
The following independent school districts have attendance areas in Bexar County
(see School District Map). The year of establishment is in parenthesis and districts with web pages have hyperlinks.
Alamo Heights Independent School District (1909); 7101 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209; (210) 824-2483. 3 elementary, 1 middle & 1 high school. 3,600 total attendance range from Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park and San Antonio.
Comal Independent School District;1421 North Business 35, New Braunfels, TX 78130; (210) 625-8081. This primarily Comal county district also includes a small part of far northern Bexar county.
East Central Independent School District (1951); 6634 New Sulpher Springs Rd., San Antonio, TX 78263; (210) 648-7861. 5 elementary, 2 middle & 1 high school. 6,000 total attendance range from southeast San Antonio and Bexar county.
Edgewood Independent School District (1978); 5358 W. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78237; (210) 433-2361. 17 elementary, 5 middle & 3 high schools. 15,000 total attendance range from west San Antonio.
Fort Sam Houston Independent School District (1950's); 1902 Winans Rd., San Antonio, TX 78234; (210) 804-4101. 1 elementary & 1 jr/sr high school. 1,500 total attendance range from Fort Sam Houston army installation.
Harlandale Independent School District (1894); 102 Genevieve Dr., San Antonio, TX 78214; (210) 921-4300. 14 elementary, 4 middle & 3 high schools. 15,000 total attendance range from south San Antonio.
Judson Independent School District; 8012 Shin Oak Dr., Live Oak, TX 78233; (210) 659-9600. 11 elementary, 2 middle & 1 high school. 14,000 total attendance range from northeastern San Antonio, Live Oak, Universal City, Converse and northeastern Bexar county.
Lackland Independent School District; 228 Pucket St., Lackland A.F.B. TX 78236: (210) 670-4352. 1 elementary & 1 jr/sr high school. 1,000 total attendance range from Lackland A.F.B.
Medina Valley Independent School District; Castroville, TX; (210) 931-2867. 1 elementary, 1 middle & 1 high school. Primarily a Medina county school district but covers a small portion of far western Bexar county.
North East Independent School District (1955): 8961 Tesoro Dr., San Antonio, TX 78217; (210) 804-7000. 34 elementary, 9 middle & 6 high schools. 40,000 total attendance range from north central and northeastern San Antonio and Bexar county.
Northside Independent School District (1917): 5900 Evers Rd., San Antonio, TX 78238; (210) 706-8500. 37 elementary, 11 middle & 6 high schools. 48,000 total attendance range from north central and northwestern San Antonio and Bexar county.
Randolph Field Independent School District; P.O. Box 2217, Universal City, TX 78148; (210) 658-3576; 1 elementary & 1 middle/high school. 1,000 total attendance range from Randolph A.F.B.
San Antonio Independent School District (1903): 141 Lavaca, San Antonio, TX 78210; (210) 299-5500; 65 elementary, 17 middle & 8 high schools. 56,000 total attendance range from San Antonio.
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District; 1060 Elbel Rd., Schertz, TX 78154; (210) 945-6200. 5 elementary, 2 middle & 1 high school. 5,000 total attendance range from Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City and far northeastern Bexar county.
Sommerset Independent School District; 19644 Sommerset Rd., Sommerset, TX 78069; (210) 622-3462. 1 elementary, 1 middle & 1 high school. 2,000 total attendance range from Sommerset and southwestern Bexar County.
South San Antonio Independent School District (1922); 2515 Sioux St., San Antonio, TX 78224; (210) 977-7000. 10 elementary, 3 middle & 2 high schools. 11,000 total attendance range from southwestern San Antonio.
Southside Independent School District (1950); 20110 Pleasantan Rd., San Antonio, TX 78221; (210) 626-0600. 1 elementary, 1 intermediate, 1 middle & 1 high school. 3,000 total attendance range from southern San Antonio and Bexar County.
Southwest Independent School District (1951); 11914 Dragon Ln., San Antonio, TX 78252; (210) 622-3488. 9 elementary, 4 middle & 1 high school. 8,000 total attendance range from southwestern San Antonio and Bexar County.
Note: all attendance figures are approximate. Contact districts for current attendance and boundary information.A newcomer to our area may find the school situation a bit overwhelming. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a great source of help and information. For further assistance e-mail: Randy Young, Noble & Hicks Properties (Randy@alamoliving.com) or call (210) 293-1000 / 279-6300
Note: This information was obtained from outside sources. It is believed accurate, but is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
©2003, Randy Young. All rights reserved