A San Antonio charter school, The Gathering Place, will shut its doors at the end of the academic year after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) denied its accreditation due to consistently low test scores. The decision has left families and staff devastated, as the school has been a lifeline for students who thrive in its unique, project-based learning environment.
The Gathering Place, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade, focuses on a “whole-child approach” to education. For Miriam Sobre, whose first-grade daughter attends the school, the closure is a significant blow.
“She’s only been there a year, but her teachers have completely rebuilt her self-esteem,” Sobre said. “The project-based learning works so well for her. This school is perfect for kids who think outside the box.”
However, the TEA’s decision to deny accreditation, citing “academically unacceptable performance” on standardized tests over the past two years, has forced the school to close. In a letter sent to the school’s board chair and superintendent on February 5, the agency highlighted the poor test scores as the primary reason for its decision.
The school board voted Wednesday night to close at the end of the current academic year. Sobre and other parents expressed frustration with the decision, arguing that the school’s value goes beyond test scores.
“I don’t want to cry, but so many of us are heartbroken and angry—not at the school, but at the system,” Sobre said. “How can they close a school that helps neurodivergent kids who may not excel on standardized tests? This school was a perfect fit for so many children.”
In addition to its academic struggles, The Gathering Place has faced financial challenges due to low enrollment. While the school had the option to appeal the TEA’s decision, officials chose not to, citing the slim chances of success and the high cost of the appeals process.
Superintendent Brian Sparks acknowledged the emotional impact of the closure in a statement to KENS 5.
“This is a difficult moment for our community,” Sparks said. “Our students and staff have built strong, meaningful bonds. We are committed to ensuring our students receive the best education possible until the end of the year and will support families in finding new schools that meet their children’s unique needs.”
Sparks also praised the dedication of the school’s staff, promising to help them find new opportunities where they can continue making a difference in students’ lives.
For families like Sobre’s, the search for a new school is now underway.
“I loved that this school aligned with our values,” Sobre said. “I’m not sure if there’s another school in the city that does that. Different schools fit different kids, and this one was perfect for the kids who went there.”
The closure of The Gathering Place highlights the challenges faced by alternative education models in a system heavily reliant on standardized testing. For now, families and staff are left to navigate the difficult transition as they say goodbye to a school that meant so much to their community.
