On Oct. 19, the San Marcos Independent School District board of trustees heard comprehensive improvement plans from the principals of San Marcos High School and Mendez Elementary School. Both schools outlined concrete steps aimed at raising graduation rates, improving Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability scores, and closing achievement gaps for the benefit of students and families.
San Marcos High School’s graduation push
Principal Eileen Grose reported that the high school’s graduation rate jumped from 39.2% in 2022 to 83.8% in 2023. The campus now targets a 90.5%‑95% graduation rate by spring 2027. To reach that goal, the school will expand existing supports such as transcript and credit audits, senior progress monitoring, and supervised credit‑recovery programs.
The six‑step action plan includes:
- Updating the graduation tracker to provide real‑time data.
- Assigning each off‑track student a dedicated staff contact and recovery plan.
- Reaching out to students and families to adjust individualized plans.
- Matching interventions to specific barriers, including accommodations for special‑needs learners.
- Reconciling records and reviewing graduation requirements for accuracy.
- Validating data from the Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS).
“Every student deserves a clear path to graduation and an adult who helps them follow it,” Grose said, emphasizing the district’s commitment to personalized guidance.
Mendez Elementary’s TEA rating goal
Principal Suzanne Perkins disclosed that Mendez Elementary received a D rating (score 63) in the 2026 A‑F Accountability Scores, a 26‑point drop from the previous year’s score of 89. The school’s plan aims to lift the rating to a C or higher by 2027 while narrowing achievement gaps.
Key academic targets focus on STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) performance:
- Reading/Language Arts meets‑grade rate: increase from 36% to 50%.
- Math meets‑grade rate: increase from 41% to 55%.
- Reading/Language Arts growth: raise from 58% to 69%.
- Math growth: raise from 57% to 66%.
To achieve these goals, Mendez staff will hold weekly data‑review sessions, monthly vertical planning meetings across grade levels, and bi‑monthly Multi‑Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) reviews. Professional Learning Communities will align instruction, and administrative check‑ins will provide a weekly outlook on progress.
“We know the work ahead of us is significant, but I believe in our students, teachers, and community,” Perkins said. “With focused instruction, close progress monitoring, and the continued support of this board and our district, I’m confident Mendez will show the growth our students deserve.”
Community impact
Both schools highlighted the importance of family involvement. Plans call for regular communication with parents and guardians to adjust interventions promptly, ensuring that every child receives the support needed to succeed academically and graduate on time.
The board praised the thoroughness of the proposals and expressed optimism that the combined efforts will strengthen San Marcos’ educational outcomes, reinforcing the district’s role as a cornerstone of the community.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
