David Barkley/francisco Ruiz Elementary

Situated on San Antonio's west side, Barkley/Ruiz serves a tight-knit, predominantly Hispanic community where deep cultural roots and neighborhood pride run strong. Families here are drawn to a school that reflects the fabric of the surrounding barrio, and while test scores leave room to grow, the school shows relative strength in science that hints at some bright spots in the classroom. For families rooted in this part of San Antonio — one of the city's most historically rich and authentically Tejano corners — this is a school that's very much a part of the community it serves.