The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Maverick El
Maverick Elementary is a small neighborhood school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in south-central San Antonio. The enrollment is distributed fairly evenly across grade levels, with a substantial majority of families qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a small representation of Black, white, and Native American students. The school reflects San Antonio's broader demographic composition and sits in a lower-income urban neighborhood in the 78201 zip code, where housing values are notably modest and median rents are well below state and national benchmarks.
The academic picture shows mixed results across tested subjects and grades. In English language arts, performance is uneven: third graders taking the Spanish-language assessment showed very low proficiency, while fifth graders taking the English assessment reached close to a majority of students meeting or exceeding proficiency. Math proficiency rates across grades three through five cluster in the low-to-mid range, with fourth graders showing the lowest attainment. Science, tested only at fifth grade, saw very low proficiency. When the school's overall proficiency index is compared to other districts in Bexar County, Maverick ranks above the midpoint, a position that reflects both the school's performance and the broader context of academic results across the district and county. Data on participation rates in state assessments was not available, so a reader cannot see whether testing gaps reflect smaller subgroups or school-wide patterns.
The school operates within San Antonio ISD, a district undergoing significant structural change. In late 2023, the district voted to permanently close fifteen schools and merge or redesign others in response to long-term enrollment decline, a decision that affected nearly a thousand students. Many families displaced by these closures left the district entirely. At the same time, the district has launched a curriculum overhaul, standardizing math and reading instruction across campuses after years of campus-by-campus variation and adopting a phonics-centered literacy approach. These are lasting changes that shape the learning environment. A 2020 bond measure approved by voters continues to fund facility renovations across the district, with improvements visible at multiple campuses through 2025.
Maverick's location in downtown-adjacent south San Antonio places it within the urban core where walkability concentrates along the River Walk and nearby downtown districts. The neighborhood is part of the city's ongoing rapid growth, though the inner core where Maverick sits has experienced slower population change than newer suburban areas. Families in this area typically have substantial commutes to employment centers; the economy is anchored in healthcare, military installations, and finance. Public transit through VIA Metropolitan Transit provides bus service, though personal vehicles remain the primary transport.
A parent considering Maverick should understand that it serves a neighborhood with high economic need, that state test results show proficiency below what is typical in more affluent schools, and that the school exists within a district actively reshaping its schools and teaching approaches. The early grades at Maverick are not tested at the state level, so readers see results only from grades three through five. The school's placement above the midpoint in countywide comparison reflects the competitive context within Bexar County, where many districts serve similarly under-resourced populations. Parents may want to explore with the school how it is implementing the district's new curriculum standards and what supports are available for students, particularly in mathematics and English language arts, where performance data shows room for improvement.
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