Cotulla Independent School District (Isd)

The Cotulla Independent School District (Isd) is a small, rural district in Texas serving 1,157 students across four schools: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, all facing significant academic challenges with a district ranking in the 14th percentile statewide.

Among the schools, Frank Newman Middle stands out as a bright spot due to its exceptional Algebra I performance, with 70.51% of students proficient in 2024-2025—far exceeding both the district and state averages. In contrast, Cotulla High School offers stability with a consistent 2-star rating over three years and a strong 94.8% graduation rate, though its overall test scores remain low. Encinal Elementary is highly volatile due to its small size of 74 students, with 4th-grade math proficiency reaching 71.43% while 5th-grade math dropped to 16.67%, making its performance unpredictable. Ramirez-Burks Elementary is more consistent but persistently low-performing, hovering around the 20th percentile. All schools share a high economic disadvantage rate above 84%, and the district spends significantly more per student than the state average, yet this does not translate into higher test scores.

Key takeaways include the Algebra I anomaly at Frank Newman Middle, where 8th graders outperform high school 9th graders in the same subject, and a systemic weakness in Science and Social Studies across all grade levels. The low student-teacher ratios (as low as 7.6:1) are a strength, but the high spending without corresponding academic gains suggests resources may be directed toward support services rather than direct instruction. Parents should note that while Cotulla High School provides a stable environment with a high graduation rate, elementary and middle school performance varies widely, particularly at the small Encinal Elementary, where results can swing dramatically from year to year.