Elementary and Middle School in one Campus? (San Antonio, Mission: school district, to move)

[sdpnoy]

Hello everyone,

Just curious if there are Elementary and Middle Schools in one campus. My kids are currently in 1st and 5th grade and would like for them to be in the same school the whole time once my oldest goes to 6th. Is this possible? Thanks in advanced.

[Pancho-Villa]

No. There are some instances where the schools may be close..but pretty sure never the same school.

[ashbeeigh]

There may be some charters that do that, but no public schools.

[Montirob]

Short answer: yes. I have one child in middle school and one in elementary... and they attend the same school.


Long answer: it depends. Many private schools go through 8th grade. For public, I believe its only the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) that offers a K-8 program at some of its schools. Called "academies", they are smaller in population (max of 100 kids per grade level) than the traditional middle schools. My kids attend one of these schools, and we have been overwhelmingly pleased (note: we were previously at a private school for over 6 years). The smaller school size allows for more individualized attention and the opportunity to participate in almost everything as they get older - it is not uncommon to find the same kids in band, in drama, and on the soccer team.


Some will argue that SAISD is not (currently) a premier school district... which is mostly true, but if you know where to look, you will find some real gems equal to any other district. Bonham and Hawthorne Academies are probably the most well known, and I would recommend checking either of them out. SAISD also started the "Advanced Learning Academy" this year, but they are on two campuses. I don't know which grades attend which campus.

[OrangeTopaz]

Originally Posted by sdpnoy

Hello everyone,

Just curious if there are Elementary and Middle Schools in one campus. My kids are currently in 1st and 5th grade and would like for them to be in the same school the whole time once my oldest goes to 6th. Is this possible? Thanks in advanced.

Quite a few of the area's private schools have grades K-12 on the same campus (although in different buildings) - for example Keystone, St. Mary's Hall, and Winston School.

[SATX56]

Here you go....

IDEA South Flores - IDEA Public Schools

[sdpnoy]

Wow! Thank you so much for the replies everyone. I really appreciate it.

[Chaka]

Absolutely it's possible. They're called Academies. Here are the current ones in SAISD, with plans for more.

Bonham (K-8)
Hawthorne (K-8)
King (K-8)
Mission (PK - 8)
Woodlawn (K-8)

Advanced learning academy (K-10) - this one is broken into two campuses (K-3 at one campus, 4-10, to become 12 at another nearby). The others are, AFAIK, all on one campus. My kids go to one of them. My daughter is about to move from 5th to 6th on the same campus. We're thrilled. You do have to apply to the Middle School, as preference is given to students already at the school (it's small and space is limited).


It is interesting that there are some who are so certain these don't exist. The model has been very successful and SAISD is working to make more schools into Academies.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Montirob

Short answer: yes. I have one child in middle school and one in elementary... and they attend the same school.


Long answer: it depends. Many private schools go through 8th grade. For public, I believe its only the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) that offers a K-8 program at some of its schools. Called "academies", they are smaller in population (max of 100 kids per grade level) than the traditional middle schools. My kids attend one of these schools, and we have been overwhelmingly pleased (note: we were previously at a private school for over 6 years). The smaller school size allows for more individualized attention and the opportunity to participate in almost everything as they get older - it is not uncommon to find the same kids in band, in drama, and on the soccer team.


Some will argue that SAISD is not (currently) a premier school district... which is mostly true, but if you know where to look, you will find some real gems equal to any other district. Bonham and Hawthorne Academies are probably the most well known, and I would recommend checking either of them out. SAISD also started the "Advanced Learning Academy" this year, but they are on two campuses. I don't know which grades attend which campus.

SAISD is also now a District of Innovation, which gives it a lot of flexibility with respect to state expectations that hold back other schools. It's new, and just being put into practice now.

our Kinder-2nd have 4 classes for each grade (3 spanish, 1 english). There are fewer as they increase in grade, as it's more difficult to enter the Spanish program after 1st grade, so kids who leave aren't replaced, though the English program increases in size.

[Montirob]

Originally Posted by Chaka

SAISD is also now a District of Innovation, which gives it a lot of flexibility with respect to state expectations that hold back other schools. It's new, and just being put into practice now.

As a graduate of NISD schools, and a resident of SAISD for the last 18 years, I really think that SAISD has finally turned the corner. I have been very impressed with the current superintendent, and the Board has significantly improved.


I've watched the Hawthorne drama kids perform excellent street Shakespeare at the Pearl; and the Bonham one act play could challenge ANY school.