Saved Schools

Rodriguez Elementary

Rodriguez Elementary, nominated by NewSchools Venture Fund, is a elementary school in San Marcos, Texas that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily rural area.

Location San Marcos, Texas

Governance Public district school

Grades Elementary

Students 430

Locale rural

Principal Kash Greathouse

Demographics

Percentage of students*

11%

Students with Disabilities

75%

Free/Reduced Lunch

4%

English Learners

White

Hispanic/Latino

Black/African American

2+ Races

American Indian

Asian

Hawaiian National

Why Rodriguez Elementary was nominated

Project-based personalized learning is the foundation for all learning at Rodriguez Elementary. Driving pillars of the model include equity through individualized learning, inclusion for all students, and justice through honoring and building upon cultures, heritages, and family values represented in the student body.

Student experience design

Rodriguez is a lever for San Marcos CISD’s transformation of schools from traditional models into learning environments where students are empowered and motivated to reach mastery in highly personalized ways. The instructional model of Rodriguez is reflective of the building itself, which is physically designed to facilitate future-ready learning. Driving pillars of the model include equity through personalized project-based learning, inclusion for all students, and justice through honoring and building upon the cultures, heritages, and family values represented in the student body. Rodriguez’s intentional design is responsive to the unique needs and interests of each student with future-ready outcomes framing the instructional design. There are four guiding pillars that drive Rodriguez Elementary that includes innovation, academic excellence, diversity, and community outreach. These guiding pillars help drive a variety of programs designed to meet the strengths, needs, and interests of different student groups.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Family And Community Support Services

1-2 years

Extended Learning Opportunities

5+ years

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

5+ years

1:1 Mentoring

3-4 years

Project-based Learning

3-4 years

All Practices

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Blended Learning

Career Prep And Work-based Learning

Community And Business Partnerships

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Hiring For Equity And Inclusion Values

Mental Health Services

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Reallocation Of Resources For Those Most In Need

SEL Integration School-wide

Student-led Conferences

Student-led Goal Setting

Students Develop Projects

Tutoring

key reasons for innovating

Mental health concerns

Date Updated: April 2024

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.