The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on New Frontiers Public Schools Inc
New Frontiers Public Schools Inc is a small charter district in Bexar County serving grades 6 through 12, built around an early-college model in partnership with San Antonio-area community colleges. The district operates three open schools as of the current year: Greg A Garcia Early College Intermediate (middle school), Frank L Madla Early College High School, and Imelda Davis Early College High School, which relocated to the Palo Alto College campus in the 2024-2025 school year. Two additional high schools are listed as future openings.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a small number of white and Black students. The enrollment is small, spread across middle and high school grades. Free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, and the count of English learners and students with IEPs was not reported.
On state testing, the district shows a sharp split by subject. In English language arts across grades 6-8, students perform relatively solidly, with the majority meeting proficiency standards. Reading comprehension and language skills appear to be a stronger area. Mathematics presents a different picture: proficiency rates are much lower, ranging from single digits in sixth and eighth grade through low teens in seventh grade. Science proficiency at eighth grade is below half, and social studies proficiency is even lower. The district's overall proficiency index ranks above the midpoint among Bexar County districts, but this reflects the strength in ELA; math performance would concern a parent evaluating the district's academic foundation. Neither graduation rate data nor trend data over multiple years was available, so it is not possible to assess whether these current results reflect sustained patterns or recent shifts.
The defining feature of New Frontiers is its early-college pathway. Students can earn a high school diploma while simultaneously completing an associate's degree or workforce certifications, tuition-free, through partnerships with community colleges. This appeals to families seeking a direct route to post-secondary credentials without cost, and the workforce-aligned focus in areas like nursing, information technology, and education addresses real labor-market demand. The Imelda Davis consolidation to Palo Alto College in 2024-2025 brought a location change and added certification options alongside the degree path.
Chronic absenteeism at the district sits in the top quartile among Bexar County districts, well below the county median, suggesting strong engagement or enforcement of attendance expectations. Per-pupil spending is in the upper range for the county, reflecting the resources committed to the early-college model.
A parent considering New Frontiers should look closely at the mathematics performance and ask the district directly about its plans to strengthen that area, particularly at the middle-school level. The early-college pathway is a genuine strength and a clear fit for families prioritizing workforce preparation and cost-free post-secondary access; however, the academic foundation matters, and the gap between ELA and math achievement is worth exploring further.
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