San Antonio ISD: Historic Roots, Innovative Futures

Advocacy in the Heart of the Alamo City

San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) is a district of transformation. Located in the historic heart of the city, it serves nearly 45,000 students and is known for its bold "System of Great Schools" strategy. This approach has introduced high-performing magnet schools (like CAST Tech and the Advanced Learning Academy) and unique "1882 Partnerships" with non-profits to manage campuses.

For parents of children with disabilities, this landscape of choice is exciting but complex. Navigating an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meeting in SAISD requires understanding who is actually making the decisions: the district or the non-profit partner? Ensuring your child has equitable access to these innovative programs is a key advocacy frontier.

The Texas Autism Supplement in Choice Schools

Whether your child is at a traditional neighborhood school or a specialized magnet, the Texas Autism Supplement (TAC §89.1055(e)) applies. The ARD committee must consider 11 specific strategies.

Ensure that "Futures Planning" connects with the specific career pathways offered by SAISD, such as cybersecurity or health professions. Review the Texas Evaluation Timeline to ensure your child's needs are documented before applying to these programs.

Strategies for SAISD ARD Meetings

To navigate the unique "system of systems" in San Antonio ISD, consider these strategies:

1. Clarify the "1882" Responsibility

In schools managed by non-profit partners (under SB 1882), the lines of authority can blur. However, the IEP is a federal contract. If a partner school claims they cannot provide a service (like a specific aide ratio or behavioral intervention), remind the ARD committee that SAISD, as the Local Education Agency (LEA), retains ultimate responsibility for FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). Do not accept "we don't do that here" as an answer.

2. The Bilingual/Special Ed Intersection

SAISD is a proud dual-language district. If your child is an English Learner (EL) with a disability, the ARD committee and the LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee) must work together. Ensure that your child isn't removed from dual-language enrichment simply because of their disability status. With the right accommodations, bilingualism is often an asset, not a barrier.

3. Transportation in a Choice District

SAISD's open enrollment model means your child might attend a school across town. If the ARD committee places your child in a specialized program (like an ALE unit) that is not at your home campus, transportation must be provided as a Related Service. Ensure the IEP specifies "curb-to-curb" if safety is a concern.

Prepare for your meeting with our Texas ARD Meeting Script to ensure you ask the right questions regarding partnerships and placement.

Building on a Historic Foundation

Just as the missions of San Antonio were built to last, your child's education should be built on a solid foundation. In a district that honors history while pushing for modernization, you have to be the architect of your child's plan. Don't let the complexity of the district's new structure obscure your child's rights.

From the West Side to the East Side, every SAISD student deserves the opportunity to access the "great schools" the district promises. Your advocacy ensures that the doors to innovation are open to everyone.

How Navigator Kids AI Supports SAISD Families

We provide the clarity you need to navigate a complex district.

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  Program Access: We help you formulate arguments for inclusion in magnet and choice programs.
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  Compensatory Services: If services are missed due to staff turnover in partnership schools, we help you calculate what is owed. Reference our guide here.
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  Meeting Prep: Use our tools to create an agenda that keeps the focus on your child, not district logistics.