The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Stafford El Visual and Performing Arts
Stafford El Visual and Performing Arts is a small charter elementary school in San Antonio, serving kindergarten through third grade, with an enrollment spread fairly evenly across those grades. The school's identity centers on visual and performing arts, a curricular emphasis that shapes what families can expect in daily instruction and programming.
The school serves a highly concentrated student population. Nearly all students are Hispanic, and a substantial majority qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a neighborhood with significant economic need. The school sits in the 78237 zip code on the southwest side of San Antonio, an area undergoing rapid growth with new apartment and home construction, though housing remains modest in price relative to national benchmarks.
On state testing in math and English language arts, Stafford's proficiency results are low. In the most recent year, roughly one in five third graders tested at the proficient level in math on the Spanish-language STAAR, and about one in six in English language arts on the same assessment. Fourth-grade results, taken on the English STAAR, showed math proficiency near that mark and English language arts proficiency around three in ten. Across all grades and subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among districts in Bexar County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what instructional supports are in place and how the arts focus connects to academic priorities.
Data on special populations, such as English learner enrollment and special education rates, was not provided, making it difficult to assess what services the school offers for students needing language or academic intervention. Graduation rate does not apply, as the school serves only early elementary grades. Attendance, discipline, and staffing information were also absent from the available data.
The school is part of Edgewood Independent School District, which has faced significant organizational challenges. The district experienced enrollment decline due to demographic shifts and charter school competition, leading it to close two schools in 2023 as part of a district redesign. In March 2026, Edgewood approved a partnership with the Third Future Schools charter network to operate Brentwood Middle School, a governance change that generated community concern. More broadly, seven district campuses, including Stafford Elementary itself, were required by the Texas Education Agency to implement turnaround plans after the 2024-25 ratings cycle, signaling that the district is under pressure to improve academic outcomes. At the same time, the district has rolled out distinctive "Schools of Innovation" programs, including single-gender leadership schools and two-way dual language academies, as a redesign strategy. The district also recently returned to fully elected governance after a state takeover, with recent trustee elections reflecting ongoing debate about the district's direction.
For a family considering Stafford, the school offers a specialized arts-focused curriculum in a small, tight-knit setting with students from a similar economic and cultural background. However, the low proficiency results and the district's broader academic and organizational challenges are material facts a parent should weigh carefully alongside the school's distinctive programming.
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