You love the cul-de-sac, the neighbors, the backyard views...but just what are the public schools like in various San Antonio area neighborhoods?
For anyone looking to buy their own piece of San Antonio metro area real estate, this little detail may make or break that decision to make an offer (school-aged kids or not). The quality of area schools determines not only the level of education your children will receive, but also the overall value of your new home.
Thankfully, with the help of Niche.com’s expert ranking system, we’ve compiled a list of the top San Antonio suburbs with the best public schools. This information is based on state test scores, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores and teacher quality (with some major help from real student and parent reviews).
312 Blue Bonnet Rd: Alamo Heights ($899,000)
Anchored by a school district bearing the same name (Alamo Heights ISD), Alamo Heights is an incorporated suburb nestled in Central San Antonio. Despite its central location, this town of 7,814 residents is quiet and cozy, offering a wide variety of home types and styles (the median home value is $513,900). Besides ranking at 19 for “Places with the Best Public Schools in Texas”, Alamo Heights also scored as the third “Best Suburbs for Millennials in Texas” and the 13th “Best Place to Retire in Texas”...meaning its quiet streets hold a diverse mix of neighbors. Noted as a few of the top public schools serving Alamo Heights, Alamo Heights High School, Alamo Heights Junior School, and Cambridge Elementary School are a prime example of the area’s penchant for excellence: in recent state assessments, over 85% of students passed with a score of “proficient” in math and/or reading, and the student-teacher ratio is 14 to 1.
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208 Belvidere: Olmos Park ($610,000)
2. Olmos Park
Backing up to San Antonio’s Cultural Corridor, Olmos Park is a historic neighborhood chock full of family-friendly vibes. A bit smaller than neighboring Alamo Heights, Olmos Park has a population of just under 2,000 residents (and a slightly pricier median home value of $643,000). Coming in as the #1 “Best Place to Retire in Texas”, Olmos Park was also voted the #3 “Safest Suburb in Texas”...which is certainly a coveted quality for any buyer with children. Also served by the top-rated Alamo Heights ISD, Olmos Park students are zoned to similar schools, including Alamo Heights High School, Alamo Heights Junior School, and Cambridge Elementary School. This district is especially noted for its high standard of academics and superior levels of college readiness.
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29606 No Le Hace Dr: Fair Oaks Ranch ($549,000)
About 12 miles north of San Antonio city limits, Fair Oaks Ranch is the textbook definition of a Hill-Country-centric San Antonio suburb. With one foot rooted in the wide open space of the Hill Country (and the other planted firmly in San Antonio’s urban center), Fair Oaks Ranch (pop: 8,582) boasts an ideal combination of rustic setting and big-city proximity. With a median home value of $421,000, Fair Oaks Ranch is accessible for more price points. The suburb was also voted one of the “Safest Suburbs in Texas”. Served by Boerne ISD, the top public schools include Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary School, Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School, and Boerne Middle School South. Boerne ISD is acclaimed for its academics, college readiness levels, and great teachers.
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622 Terrell Rd: Terrell Hills ($1,149,900)
Several miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, Terrell Hills is a mid-sized town of approximately 5,190 residents. Boasting some of the most expensive properties in the city (median home value: $635,100), Terrell Hills residents also enjoy easy access to some of the city’s best cultural attractions (the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, McNay Art Museum, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, etc)...which is perhaps why it was voted one of the “Best Suburbs to Live in Texas”. Depending on the area of this neighborhood, students are either zoned to attend North East ISD or Alamo Heights ISD, both ranked within the Top 10 School Districts in the San Antonio area. Terrell Hills’ top-rated schools include: International School of the Americas, Alamo Heights High School, Woodridge Elementary School, and Alamo Heights Junior School.
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433 Skyforest Dr: Hollywood Park ($325,000)
Given San Antonio’s recent growth, it’s no surprise that Hollywood Park (once considered a rural community) is now embraced by an established North San Antonio community, complete with premier shopping and school districts. With a population of 3,257, Hollywood Park was ranked the #2 “Best Place to Retire in Texas” and one of the “Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Texas” (the median home value an affordable $294,100). Served by the top-rated North East ISD, many Hollywood Park students are zoned to top schools like International School of the Americas, Hidden Forest Elementary School, Tex Hill Middle School, and Churchill High School.
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206 Hornpipe Hills: Timberwood Park ($575,000)
Nestled in the foothills of the Texas Hill Country, Timberwood Park has been emerging as one of the area’s hidden real estate gems for area families and commuters. This 2,200-acre custom home development is home to a population of over 26,000 residents (with an affordable median home value of $294,000). Timberwood Park is served by both North East ISD and Comal ISD. Top-rated public schools in the area include the International School of the Americas, Reagan High School, Johnson High School, Wilderness Oak Elementary School, and Canyon Ridge Elementary School.
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125 Corsica Dr: Cibolo ($249,900)
7. Cibolo
Located on the eastern cusp of the San Antonio metro area, Cibolo is a popular San Antonio suburb for military families looking to stay close to Randolph AFB (which is just five miles west). Home to a healthy population of 25,256 residents, Cibolo is an affordable, scenic, peaceful option (that also happens to boast an affordable median home value of $206,900). This town was voted one of the “Safest Suburbs in Texas” as well as one of the “Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Texas”. Students in Cibolo are zoned to the Schertz-Cibolo- Universal City ISD, which is notable for its superior administration, academics, and extracurriculars. Top schools include Barbar C. Jordan Intermediate School, Elaine S. Schlather Intermediate School, Dobie Junior High School, and Wiederstein Elementary School.
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8706 Paisano Pass: Scenic Oaks ($369,000)
8. Scenic Oaks
North on I-10, Scenic Oaks is a veritable “hidden gem” of San Antonio suburban real estate (as evidenced by its placement on both lists “Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Texas” and “Best Suburbs for Millennials in Texas”). With a population of 5,870 and a median home value of $340,700, Scenic Oaks is a cozy small town with high-quality neighborhoods. The town is serviced by Northside ISD (the area’s largest district as well as one of its best). Several top area schools include Health Careers High School, Blattman Elementary School, Beard Elementary School, Julia Newton Aue Elementary School, Garcia Middle School.
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9545 Teakwood Dr: Garden Ridge ($439,000)
9. Garden Ridge
Located several miles northeast of San Antonio city limits (and towards the beckoning Texas Hill Country), Garden Ridge offers exactly the type of peaceful haven its name evokes. Boasting a population of 3,730 and a median home value of $442,100, the Garden Ridge’s schools, families, jobs, and diversity make it (according to Niche.com) one of the “Best Suburbs to Live in Texas”. We’d agree. Served by Comal ISD, a highly-rated system located in the Hill Country, Garden Ridge students are often zoned to top-rated public schools like Memorial Early College High School, Garden Ridge Elementary School, and Canyon Middle School.
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22931 Ciela Vis: Leon Springs (SOLD)
10. Leon Springs
Leon Springs is located on the northwest side of town. A family-friendly area, Leon Springs also provides beautiful housing and great schools. The town is served by Northside ISD, which scores high marks for great teachers, a superior administration, and student diversity. Top schools include Health Careers High School, Leon Springs Elementary School, Rawlinson Middle School, and Clark High School.
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If you’re interested in settling into one of these top-notch districts, we’d love to help get you started. Connect with a lender, download our exclusive Buyer’s Guide, and contact an agent to get started!