The Houston-based advocacy group Children at Risk ranked San Antonio-area schools on factors ranging from test scores to class size. Here are the Top 10 schools in the middle school category. Charter schools made a strong showing on the top 10 list for middle schools.
Three of the top-tier middle schools are charters.
The key to No. 2-ranked Harmony Science Academy’s success is keeping close tabs on what students know and engaging parents, Principal Salih Aykac said. Harmony tests students every six weeks and provides tutoring for struggling students.
At No.5-ranked School of Science and Technology, a strong focus on academic competitions and field trips, such as an annual trip to Europe, are keys. The school prides itself on performance in math and science competitions. “That’s how we challenge our students,” Principal Bulent Dogan said.
Leaders at No.10-ranked KIPP Aspire Academy said long days, committed teachers and hard work are the cornerstone for achievement. “We just work really, really hard,” said Mark Larson, head of KIPP San Antonio. “More and more studies come out that say that grit will outpace natural intelligence, giftedness, IQ kind of stuff. What we do here is build a culture where our students and our teachers have extraordinary amounts of grit.”
