TBD Smithson Valley LOT 5
San Antonio, TX 78261

As a former teacher, I am flabbergasted at the way this school operates. Johnson Ranch is very overpopulated, and the school is run like a corporation. There is no community feel, just a small group of women who are socially connected to principal and they receive priority through all things involved with the school. The principal has little to no oversight of what is actually taking place, but at least she is proud of her new rolling desk. The principals don’t know the names of their own students, transportation is a nightmare, and the only focus is to keep pushing the kids through the system. Children are given a number at the beginning of each year so they can be identified by the administrators when they need it. It was heartbreaking to see this in the public, as those students identify themselves with this number while writing their name at a local orthodontist office on their artwork. There are regular “catch up” hours and days, forcing teachers to spend extra time on those who should be held back. Students really advance in their scores past 2nd grade, they simply all stay within one blob of “meets criteria” so the administrators all get their bonus. From a safety aspect, there are portable classrooms that have regular cockroach issues, an access fence that was torn down for the entire 2024 Spring without supervision, and little to no supervision of students. Attempting to get involved and help is a massive challenge, as the PTA holds meetings at 9 AM on a work day. This keeps community involvement to a minimum, and allows the machine to keep rolling. I would consider a school outside of Johnson Ranch Elementary if other options are available.

This brand new school is academically strong and provides a lot of extra curricular activities! There is even an e-sports team! Athletics and band are top notch. Teachers are truly invested in the success of the students.