Southside ISD proudly celebrates its 2025–2026 Elementary Teachers of the Year, educators who go above and beyond to shape the hearts and minds of our youngest learners. In this special video, these outstanding teachers share their love for the Southside community, where they find purpose not only in academics but in making a lasting difference in students’ lives. Discover why they choose Southside ISD and why Southside ISD continues to choose them.
District News
Heritage Elementary Recognized as a 2025 Honor Roll School, Ranking in the Top 15% of Texas Schools
We are proud to announce that Heritage Elementary has been named a 2025 Honor Roll School by Educational Results Partnership (ERP), a data science organization that recognizes schools for outstanding performance in Math and English.
Sponsored by the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence, the ERP Honor Roll sets a high standard for academic excellence using student assessment data. This recognition highlights schools that demonstrate strong achievement and provides valuable insights into best practices that support student success.
To learn more about the ERP Honor Roll program, visit www.honorrollschools.com.
District Leaders Visit with Student Leaders
Our Student Leaders met with our Superintendent, Mr. Rolando Ramirez, and Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Miguel Castillo. The students love sharing how the students in their classes are doing and hearing about District initiatives. But we think Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Castillo enjoy it even more based on what Mr. Ramirez shared afterwards, “It is the highlight of our day to visit the student leaders!”
Heritage Elementary Earns Gold Star Recognition from Children at Risk
Congratulations to Mrs. Elise Puente and the entire Heritage Elementary team for earning a Gold Star rating and being recognized as one of the top elementary campuses in San Antonio by Children at Risk! This prestigious distinction highlights campuses demonstrating exceptional performance and commitment to student success — and Heritage is proudly among them.
The list of San Antonio-area elementary schools receiving this honor is shared below, and we are thrilled to see Heritage represented among the very best.
This recognition is a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and passion that our staff brings to students each and every day. We remain committed to ensuring that all Southside ISD campuses reach this level of excellence. Step by step, we are moving forward together.
You can read the full article here.
Superintendent Meets with Student Leaders
The Southside ISD superintendent, Rolando Ramirez, met with the Heritage Student Leaders yesterday. He encouraged them to inspire their peers to do well on upcoming assessments because they will be rewarded. They also discussed other items about our school and he answered questions they had. It is nice to see a “Top Boss” taking the time to talk with his students, thank you!
Attendance Matters: Every Day Counts for Student Success
Welcome to another exciting school year at Southside ISD. It is wonderful to have all of our students back in the classroom. Providing a high quality education is of the utmost importance at Southside ISD. We believe school success goes hand and hand with good attendance.
Southside ISD, believes that consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a student’s academic and social success. When students are present and engaged, they build the skills, relationships, and knowledge needed to thrive both in school and beyond. Missing school—even just a few days—can have a lasting impact.
Why Attendance Is Important
- Academic Growth: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to keep up with lessons, participate in class discussions, and master essential skills.
- Social Connection: Being in school every day helps students develop friendships, teamwork, and communication skills.
- Future Readiness: Regular attendance builds habits that prepare students for college, careers, and life after graduation.
How Families Can Help
- Establish Routines: Set consistent bedtimes and morning schedules to make getting to school on time easier.
- Plan Ahead: Schedule medical appointments outside school hours whenever possible.
- Stay Informed: Communicate with teachers and the school office if your child must be absent.
- Monitor Attendance: Review attendance regularly in the parent portal to ensure accuracy.
Every school day is an opportunity for learning, growth, and connection. Let’s work together to make sure every student is present, engaged, and on the path to success—because in Southside ISD, every day truly counts.