Southwest Public Schools, TX

Original Research by School Decision on Southwest Public Schools

Southwest Public Schools is a small charter district in Harris County serving a student body that is heavily concentrated in Latino, Spanish-speaking families. The district spans prekindergarten through grade twelve and operates five schools: two elementary campuses, one middle school, one high school, and a separate school-based alternative program.

The district faces significant academic headwinds. On state testing across the grades and subjects measured, proficiency rates are markedly low across the board. In math, only a handful of students reach the passing threshold at most grades, with the exception of fifth grade where about half of tested students meet the standard; middle school math proficiency drops sharply again by sixth grade and remains in the low range through eighth. English language arts proficiency is similarly modest at most grades, hovering between about one in five and two in five students meeting the standard, with somewhat stronger performance in seventh and eighth grades. Science and social studies proficiency are also below typical district performance. When measured across all tested subjects and grades, the district's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among Harris County's districts.

The district does show a clear strength in chronic absenteeism. The rate is in the top quartile countywide, meaning the district has succeeded in keeping students engaged and in school at levels well above the county median. This is a meaningful achievement for a high-need population and suggests effective systems for supporting attendance.

Per-pupil current spending is also in the upper range for Harris County, indicating that the district is investing resources above the typical county level, even as academic results remain limited. Parents may want to look further into how those resources are being deployed.

A noteworthy fact for families considering which campus to attend is that accountability ratings assigned by the Texas Education Agency vary sharply within the district. The district as a whole earned a B rating for 2024-2025, but the Bissonnet elementary campus received a D, revealing a material gap in performance by location. For families with elementary-age children, this difference merits direct inquiry with the school.

The district serves a sustained and substantial number of English learners through bilingual and English language learning programs. This is baked into the district's identity and mission; families choosing Southwest should expect an environment shaped by that commitment and the instructional programming it requires.

A graduation rate for the district is not available from the data, making it unclear what share of high school students complete their diplomas on a standard timeline.

See more original research from School Decision →

District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

1,625

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 88%

Black 6%

White 4%

Asian 1%

Two+ 0%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

21%

60%

Gr 4

25%

29%

Gr 5

46%

—

Gr 6

32%

30%

Gr 7

34%

63%

Gr 8

39%

57%

Math

Gr 3

17%

60%

Gr 4

27%

29%

Gr 5

48%

—

Gr 6

16%

20%

Gr 7

28%

38%

Gr 8

16%

—

Science

Gr 5

—

Gr 8

28%

43%

Social studies

Gr 8

14%

all_subjects_approaches

Gr ALL

34%

—

all_subjects_masters

Gr ALL

—

all_subjects_meets

Gr ALL

—

ela_approaches

Gr ALL

26%

—

ela_masters

Gr ALL

—

ela_meets

Gr ALL

11%

—

math_approaches

Gr ALL

35%

—

math_masters

Gr ALL

—

math_meets

Gr ALL

—

science_approaches

Gr ALL

45%

—

science_masters

Gr ALL

—

science_meets

Gr ALL

18%

—

social_studies_approaches

Gr ALL

47%

—

social_studies_masters

Gr ALL

—

social_studies_meets

Gr ALL

—

Schools in this District

5 schools are officially reported under this district.

EMPOWERMENT H S

PHOENIX SCHOOL AT SOUTHWEST SCHOOLS

DISCOVERY MIDDLE

SOUTHWEST SCHOOLS BISSONNET EL CAMPUS

SOUTHWEST SCHOOLS MANGUM EL CAMPUS

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

18%

Grade 3

27%

Grade 4

50%

Grade 5

16%

Grade 6

29%

Grade 7

15%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

27%

Grade 3

22%

Grade 4

23%

Grade 5

31%

Grade 6

37%

Grade 7

40%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

25%

Grade 5

29%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

Grade 8

Data Currently Unavailable

Community & Housing Context
Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.