Every child deserves a best-fit school, and one size does not always fit all. Learning is a deeply personal process, so families should have the opportunity to choose the school that best meets the needs of their children. When children can connect with one another around similar goals and aspirations in an environment that is personalized for them, their learning becomes more powerful and their possibilities for success are limitless.

San Antonio Independent School District has a rich history of providing students with unique learning opportunities. The district opened its first magnet school in 1983. Today the district has nearly fifty Choice Schools and Programs offering a variety of models: International Baccalaureate, Montessori, Dual Language, STEM, Single Gender, and more.

SAISD also has Senate Bill 1882 Partnerships with mission-aligned nonprofits to bring additional expertise and resources to select in-district charter schools. These non-profit partners provide targeted support that is aligned to the school’s unique mission and academic model.

The theory of action behind this effort is clear: if we provide skilled educators with the autonomies that they need to run a high-quality school how they see fit, then they will provide our city’s students with the option to attend and excel in a diverse array of high-quality, innovative schools. These school options will be open to all students, regardless of their academic ability or geographic location.

The educators who are approved to run autonomous schools will operate schools that will serve as models for the rest of the district and catalyze school innovation and improvement for all of San Antonio ISD.