The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released its 2019 Accountability Ratings today, and the Comal Independent School District earned a grade of “A” with a score of 92 in the state’s A-F accountability system. All 30 of Comal ISD’s campuses received passing grades with more than half earning an “A.”
This score places Comal ISD among the top school districts in the state with only 257 districts out of a total of 1,022 earning an “A.” This overall rating is based on performance in three areas: Student Achievement, in which Comal ISD earned a 91; School Progress, Comal ISD earned an 87; and Closing the Gaps, in which Comal ISD earned a 93.
“While we celebrate this score, the state accountability system is just one of many indicators we look at to gauge how we are serving our students,” said Kerry Gain, assistant superintendent of curriculum and academic services. “At Comal ISD, every student’s success comes first, and we will continue to provide every opportunity for each student to be successful.”
In addition, 22 campuses earned at least one Distinction Designation in 2019, earning the district 60 distinctions overall. This in an increase from the previous year. In 2018, the district earned 57 distinctions across 22 campuses; in 2017, it earned 43 distinctions from 16 campuses; and in 2016, 37 distinctions from 14 campuses.
For Comal ISD Superintendent Andrew Kim the state’s accountability score is a culmination of all the daily work that goes into student performance, just as a professional athlete must spend hours in the gym in order to see results on the field or the court. The same holds true for students and teachers.
“We congratulate all of our students, teachers and parents who have supported our work,” Kim said, “and we celebrate our score as one indicator of the hard work we expend on a daily basis. We care more about what happens every day in our classrooms and in the hallways than any one number or letter we receive.
“We will continue to own our student performance and work towards helping each student grow academically year after year.”
The A-F system uses a variety of indicators such as graduation rates, college, career and military readiness, SAT/ACT scores and college prep course completion. The majority of a district’s rating is based on indicators other than the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test.
New this year are A-F ratings for individual campuses. As in past years, each elementary campus may also earn distinctions in a total of six areas: ELA/reading, math, science, academic growth, closing the gaps and postsecondary readiness. Secondary campuses may earn distinctions in seven areas with the addition of social studies.
Campuses receiving “A” ratings include Arlon Seay Elementary, Bill Brown Elementary, Church Hill Middle, Comal Academy, Garden Ridge Elementary, Hoffmann Lane Elementary, Indian Springs Elementary, Johnson Ranch Elementary, Memorial Early College High, Specht Elementary, Oak Creek Elementary, Pieper Ranch Middle, Rahe Bulverde Elementary, Smithson Valley High, Smithson Valley Middle and Timberwood Park Elementary.
Campuses receiving “B” ratings include Canyon High, Canyon Lake High, Canyon Middle, Danville Middle, Freiheit Elementary, Kinder Ranch Elementary, Morningside Elementary, Mountain Valley Elementary, Mountain Valley Middle, Rebecca Creek Elementary, Spring Branch Middle and Startzville Elementary.
Clear Springs Elementary and Goodwin Frazier Elementary received “C” ratings.
When it came to distinctions for elementary campuses in the district, Timberwood Park Elementary earned all six distinctions; Hoffmann Lane earned five; Mountain Valley earned four; Goodwin Frazier and Oak Creek earned three; Arlon Seay, Freiheit, and Garden Ridge earned two; and Bill Brown, Kinder Ranch, Morningside, Rahe Bulverde and Specht earned one.
Secondary campuses in the district earning distinctions include the following: Mountain Valley Middle earned six; Canyon Middle and Canyon Lake High earned five; Church Hill Middle, Spring Branch Middle and Memorial Early College High earned three; and Danville Middle, Smithson Valley Middle and Canyon High earned one.
For a closer look at the new ratings, TEA encourages parents, educators and community members to visit TXschools.gov to view district and school report cards.