Affordable areas in NISD area (151/410/Bandera)? (Converse, Helotes: apartments, rental homes, homes)

[caliv0608]

My daughter will be starting school next year and I do not want her to attend Converse Elementary, where we are currently zoned. I have been researching several elementary schools in NISD (specifically Steubing, Helotes, Scarborough, and a couple others), and I'm finding that housing costs in those schools zones is high, and there are very few apartments. I work in the Lackland area and while I would love to live close to work, but I've heard a few horror stories about those area schools. I'd be willing to make the drive to be in a good school zone.

I am trying to aim for at least a semi-diverse school, with a smaller population (an elementary school with 1200 students kind of scares me, lol). Diversity seems to be asking for a lot in this town, as most schools run 60+ percent Hispanic. Many I've seen are above 90%. My daughter is mixed race and for that and many other reasons, I feel ethnic diversity is important.

Does anyone have advice on any hidden neighborhoods or tips for finding affordable housing with good schools? And by affordable I simply mean, we're not crazy rich. LOL. Many rental homes I found are $1400 a month and if I am going to spend that much I would just rather buy a home. I have done a lot of checking on Great Schools.org but some of the info seems to be outdated.

Thank you!