San Antonio’s public‑school system remains at the forefront of Texas Senate Bill 1882, the legislation that lets districts partner with nonprofits, universities and charter networks to run schools under a Texas Partnership model. The region now hosts almost a third of the state’s 115 partnership schools, giving local families more educational options while providing districts with additional state funding and a pause on low accountability ratings.
SAISD’s expansive partnership portfolio
San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) operates 26 partnership schools – more than any other district in Texas. These schools are run by groups such as Third Future Schools, the CAST Network, the Texas Council for International Studies, Young Women’s Preparatory Network, the University of Texas at San Antonio and Public Montessori in Action International. The district also runs an in‑district charter, Cotton Academy, which is not partnered with an outside organization.
During a recent board meeting, SAISD officials announced they will recommend whether to continue or end partnerships at 11 campuses. Several of those campuses were placed on probation after receiving failing academic ratings. Instructional superintendent Melissa Alcala emphasized that the district will consider what parents want for their children while working with partners to keep schools in good standing with the Texas Education Agency.
Edgewood ISD’s cautious shift
Edgewood Independent School District, a smaller neighbor, has also relied heavily on partnerships, but it is now scaling back. The district ended its agreement with A&M‑San Antonio at Gus Garcia Middle School and terminated contracts with the Texas Council for International Studies and Friends of P‑TECH. Assistant superintendent of academic services Theresa Salinas said Edgewood is “hitting the pause button” to ensure the district retains autonomy and can meet community needs.
Edgewood still maintains several partnerships, including a program for young adults with learning disabilities at Burleson School of Innovation, a Pre‑K 4 SA early‑childhood site at Gardendale, and a Learn4Life campus that serves high‑school students needing flexible education.
Local higher‑education partners
Most of the partnership schools in the area are run by local colleges and universities. The University of Texas at San Antonio focuses on dual‑language models, while San Antonio College and St. Phillip’s College provide early‑college credit opportunities. Texas A&M‑San Antonio, which launched its first partnership with Edgewood, now operates programs in Harlandale ISD and runs the all‑boys Young Men’s Leadership Academy in SAISD.
Nonprofit groups also play a major role. CAST Schools runs five partnership campuses and a magnet program at Northside ISD, and Pre‑K 4 SA partners with Edgewood on early‑childhood education.
Future of school choice in a shifting political landscape
The recent midterm elections gave Democrats control of the Texas House, prompting talk of reforming the state’s accountability system. However, the Senate remains under GOP control, and no immediate legislative moves have targeted SB 1882. Some districts, like Judson ISD, have adopted policies to create pathways for partnership schools when faced with multiple failing ratings.
While progressive groups criticize the partnership model, newly elected Democrats have focused more on school vouchers, public‑education funding and standardized testing rather than seeking to repeal SB 1882. Districts continue to fund innovative programs through Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities and other TEA grants, allowing them to offer unique curricula without ceding full control to outside entities.
As San Antonio’s districts evaluate the balance between partnership benefits and local autonomy, parents, educators and community leaders remain engaged in the conversation, underscoring the region’s commitment to expanding school choice while preserving accountability.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
