Palo Alto Elementary

Summary:

Palo Alto Elementary is a public elementary school in San Antonio, Texas, serving 429 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the South San Antonio Independent School District (ISD), which is ranked 906 out of 968 districts in Texas and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Palo Alto Elementary faces significant challenges, with a student population that is 95.8% Hispanic and over 95% eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage. The school consistently ranks in the bottom 10% of Texas elementary schools, with STAAR test scores that are significantly lower than the state and district averages across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, only 18.46% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in STAAR Reading, compared to 48.85% statewide and 25% for the South San Antonio ISD. The school's spending per student ($10,063 in 2020-2021) is slightly higher than the district average, but still relatively low compared to the state.

While the nearby schools in the South San Antonio ISD and Harlandale ISD also serve predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged student populations, they generally outperform Palo Alto Elementary on academic measures. For example, Price Elementary and Gillette Elementary, which are also in the South San Antonio ISD, have higher STAAR test scores and better overall rankings than Palo Alto Elementary, suggesting that factors beyond just student demographics may be contributing to the differences in academic performance.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1725 Palo Alto Rd
       San Antonio, TX  78211-4099


(210) 977-7125

District: South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd)

SchoolDigger Rank:
4551st of 4,675 Texas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,063 Help


Students who attend Palo Alto Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Dwight Middle
    Robert C Zamora Middle
High:    South San Antonio High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.6 Help
Number of students:  531

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
93.8%
White:
3.4%
African American:
2.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  92.7% Help


 See top rated Texas elementary schools

 Compare Palo Alto Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Palo Alto Elementary ranks worse than 97.3% of elementary schools in Texas. It also ranks last among 8 ranked elementary schools in the South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.56. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (93.8%), White (3.4%), African American (2.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 92.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Palo Alto Elementary is 16.6. 4 elementary schools in the South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd) have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Palo Alto Elementary employs 31.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Palo Alto Elementary is $10,063, which is the lowest among 8 elementary schools in the South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd)!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Palo Alto Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Palo Alto Elementary 4551st of 4675 Texas public elementary schools. (See Palo Alto Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Hispanic students:


South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd):

SchoolDigger ranks South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd) 906th of 968 Texas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Palo Alto Elementary?

Rank History for Palo Alto Elementary

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 48.84 2074th 3465 40.1%
2005 27.57 2925th 3475 15.8%
2006 13.32 3315th 3476 4.6%
2007 11.01 3591st 3724 3.6%
2008 23.68 3333rd 3768 11.5%
2009 25.49 3373rd 3884 13.2%
2010 36.17 3007th 3937 23.6%
2011 26.33 3532nd 4095 13.7%
2012 10.47 4086th 4206 2.9%
2013 10.64 4068th 4221 3.6%
2014 24.92 3627th 4260 14.9%
2015 45.09 2599th 4320 39.8%
2016 55.87 2013th 4286 53.0%
2017 19.71 3793rd 4329 12.4%
2018 18.85 3868th 4359 11.3%
2019 16.18 4097th 4479 8.5%
2021 13.68 4306th 4578 5.9%
2022 13.66 4260th 4581 7.0%
2023 5.37 4597th 4647 1.1%
2024 8.56 4551st 4675 2.7%
See the entire list of Texas Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 19.21 3479th 3684 5.6%
2021 24.31 3240th 3799 14.7%
2022 22.64 3531st 3952 10.7%
2023 21.86 3683rd 4086 9.9%
2024 62.90 1103rd 4261 74.1%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.52 3692nd 4264 13.4%
2019 21.99 3890th 4309 9.7%
2021 19.53 4059th 4451 8.8%
2022 20.38 4018th 4477 10.3%
2023 7.88 4446th 4521 1.7%
2024 19.52 4142nd 4560 9.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.91 4052nd 4306 5.9%
2019 12.27 4185th 4348 3.7%
2021 12.79 4332nd 4499 3.7%
2022 16.75 4154th 4561 8.9%
2023 6.60 4543rd 4588 1.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 38.26 2448th 3184 23.1%
2021 36.08 2187th 3006 27.2%
2023 0.27 2975th 2980 0.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for At Risk students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.84 2820th 4240 33.5%
2019 48.38 2083rd 4295 51.5%
2021 32.09 3201st 4331 26.1%
2022 33.56 3265th 4461 26.8%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for At Risk Students!

Rank History for Male students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.20 3598th 4319 16.7%
2019 23.10 3704th 4357 15.0%
2021 17.38 4036th 4498 10.3%
2022 14.76 4233rd 4563 7.2%
2023 7.38 4484th 4585 2.2%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Palo Alto Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.59 3614th 4168 13.3%
2019 20.11 3819th 4188 8.8%
2021 17.69 4023rd 4329 7.1%
2022 16.99 4069th 4376 7.0%
2023 6.34 4365th 4401 0.8%
2024 16.26 4141st 4431 6.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Texas Education Agency, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Palo Alto Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Texas Education Agency

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Palo Alto Elementary.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Palo Alto Elementary, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Palo Alto Elementary

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 7 2 1 718 n/a n/a n/a 0 728
1989 8 1 2 678 0 n/a n/a 0 689
1990 4 1 2 665 0 n/a n/a 0 672
1991 7 1 1 640 0 n/a n/a 0 649
1992 13 0 1 629 0 n/a n/a 0 643
1993 8 1 1 610 0 n/a n/a 0 620
1994 4 1 0 687 1 n/a n/a 0 693
1995 7 0 0 678 0 n/a n/a 0 685
1996 7 0 0 678 0 n/a n/a 0 685
1997 8 0 0 685 1 n/a n/a 0 694
1998 9 1 0 592 0 n/a n/a 0 602
1999 7 3 0 578 2 n/a n/a 0 590
2000 4 0 0 587 5 n/a n/a 0 596
2001 4 0 0 586 6 n/a n/a 0 596
2002 3 1 0 614 4 n/a n/a 0 622
2003 3 1 0 614 4 n/a n/a 0 622
2004 6 5 0 623 3 n/a n/a 0 637
2005 10 11 0 637 3 n/a n/a 0 661
2006 10 9 0 676 0 n/a n/a 0 695
2007 8 3 0 683 0 n/a n/a 0 694
2008 9 3 0 647 1 n/a n/a 0 660
2009 6 8 1 673 2 n/a n/a 0 690
2010 9 12 0 680 0 n/a n/a 0 701
2011 8 1 0 716 1 0 0 0 726
2012 7 1 1 680 1 0 0 0 690
2013 7 1 1 629 1 0 1 0 640
2014 6 6 1 553 1 0 0 0 567
2015 6 5 0 548 0 0 0 0 559
2016 7 1 0 534 0 0 2 0 544
2017 5 2 0 502 0 0 3 0 512
2018 6 3 0 485 0 0 1 0 495
2019 9 8 0 483 2 0 1 0 503
2020 8 8 1 481 2 0 1 0 501
2021 11 10 1 461 2 0 2 0 487
2022 13 8 1 403 0 0 1 0 426
2023 10 6 1 411 0 0 1 0 429
2024 18 11 1 498 1 0 2 0 531

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Palo Alto Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 728 32.0 22.7 n/a
1989 689 n/a n/a n/a
1990 672 40.0 16.8 n/a
1991 649 40.0 16.2 n/a
1992 643 38.5 16.7 79.2
1993 620 39.0 15.9 91.5
1994 693 39.9 17.4 59
1995 685 39.6 17.3 87.2
1996 685 39.6 17.3 87.2
1997 694 42.9 16.2 89.6
1998 602 37.8 15.9 88.5
1999 590 35.1 16.8 94.9
2000 596 35.3 16.9 96.1
2001 596 36.3 16.4 96
2002 622 37.0 16.8 96.6
2003 622 37.0 16.8 96.6
2004 637 38.8 16.4 74.3
2005 661 39.1 16.9 48
2006 695 41.2 16.9 31.8
2007 694 40.1 17.3 19
2008 660 40.4 16.3 0
2009 690 39.3 17.5 0
2010 701 38.2 18.3 0
2011 726 42.1 17.2 0
2012 690 39.4 17.4 0
2013 640 37.3 17.1 96.7
2014 567 36.1 15.6 96.6
2015 559 33.0 16.9 96.6
2016 544 33.0 16.4 94.9
2017 512 31.1 16.4 93.9
2018 495 29.4 16.8 91.1
2019 503 30.0 16.7 93.8
2020 501 30.8 16.2 98
2021 487 26.6 18.2 98.2
2022 426 26.9 15.8 93.9
2023 429 22.2 19.2 95.1
2024 531 31.9 16.6 92.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Palo Alto Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 728 32.0 22.7 n/a
1989 689 n/a n/a n/a
1990 672 40.0 16.8 n/a
1991 649 40.0 16.2 n/a
1992 643 38.5 16.7 79.2
1993 620 39.0 15.9 91.5
1994 693 39.9 17.4 59
1995 685 39.6 17.3 87.2
1996 685 39.6 17.3 87.2
1997 694 42.9 16.2 89.6
1998 602 37.8 15.9 88.5
1999 590 35.1 16.8 94.9
2000 596 35.3 16.9 96.1
2001 596 36.3 16.4 96
2002 622 37.0 16.8 96.6
2003 622 37.0 16.8 96.6
2004 637 38.8 16.4 74.3
2005 661 39.1 16.9 48
2006 695 41.2 16.9 31.8
2007 694 40.1 17.3 19
2008 660 40.4 16.3 0
2009 690 39.3 17.5 0
2010 701 38.2 18.3 0
2011 726 42.1 17.2 0
2012 690 39.4 17.4 0
2013 640 37.3 17.1 96.7
2014 567 36.1 15.6 96.6
2015 559 33.0 16.9 96.6
2016 544 33.0 16.4 94.9
2017 512 31.1 16.4 93.9
2018 495 29.4 16.8 91.1
2019 503 30.0 16.7 93.8
2020 501 30.8 16.2 98
2021 487 26.6 18.2 98.2
2022 426 26.9 15.8 93.9
2023 429 22.2 19.2 95.1
2024 531 31.9 16.6 92.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Palo Alto Elementary

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,126 (21.7%) $7,649 (78.3%) $9,775
2020 $2,339 (23.0%) $7,838 (77.0%) $10,178
2021 $2,540 (25.2%) $7,523 (74.8%) $10,063

Data source: Texas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Palo Alto Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 4097th of 4479 Elementary schoolsRanks 4597th of 4647 Elementary schools
 7.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Reading (Palo Alto Elementary)2112
 9%
   3rd Grade Reading (South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd))2223
 1%
   3rd Grade Reading (Texas)4450
 6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Palo Alto Elementary)3316
 17%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd))2618
 8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Texas)4843
 5%
4th Grade Reading (Palo Alto Elementary)2615
 11%
   4th Grade Reading (South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd))2321
 2%
   4th Grade Reading (Texas)4347
 4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Palo Alto Elementary)3412
 22%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd))3123
 8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Texas)4647
 1%
5th Grade Reading (Palo Alto Elementary)2228
 6%
   5th Grade Reading (South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd))3135
 4%
   5th Grade Reading (Texas)5156
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Palo Alto Elementary)3312
 21%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd))3427
 7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Texas)5650
 6%
5th Grade Science (Palo Alto Elementary)175
 12%
   5th Grade Science (South San Antonio Independent School District (Isd))239
 14%
   5th Grade Science (Texas)4834
 14%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students503429
 14.7%
African American86
 25%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian01
Hispanic483411
 14.9%
Pacific Islander00
White910
 11.1%
Two or More Races11
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients93.8%95.1%
 1.3%


Schools Near Palo Alto Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Palo Alto Elementary

In the 2023-24 school year, 531 students attended Palo Alto Elementary.

Students at Palo Alto Elementary are 94% Hispanic, 3% White, 2% African American.

Students who attend Palo Alto Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Dwight Middle
Middle : Robert C Zamora Middle
High : South San Antonio High School

Palo Alto Elementary ranks in the bottom 2.7% of Texas elementary schools.


Rate Palo Alto Elementary!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Palo Alto Elementary!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 143 milliseconds.