Congressman Silvestre & Carolina School, El Paso TX

Original Research by School Decision on Congressman Silvestre & Carolina School

Congressman Silvestre & Carolina School is a public elementary school in the Canutillo ISD, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in East El Paso's 79932 zip code. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial portion of families meeting the income threshold for federal free or reduced-price lunch eligibility. About a third of students qualify. The overall enrollment is moderate for an elementary school in this grade band.

The school's academic standing shows uneven strength across tested subjects. In English language arts, the school performs solidly overall, with a significant majority of students meeting proficiency standards by fourth grade. Reading performance in Spanish for the small third-grade cohort showed proficiency at moderate levels. Math proficiency is weaker in grades three and four, hovering near midpoint performance, though fifth-grade math proficiency rises substantially. Science proficiency in fifth grade falls below reading and math, at just above the midpoint. When viewed across all performance levels—from approaches to masters—the school shows the largest gap in the "meets" and "masters" categories; many students reach proficiency, but fewer demonstrate command of the material at advanced levels.

Against other districts in El Paso County, Congressman Silvestre & Carolina ranks in the top quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades, a meaningful position that reflects solid foundational performance relative to county peers.

The school sits in a fast-growing suburban area of East El Paso characterized by newer residential development. Housing values and rental costs in the 79932 zip code are broadly in line with the county and below the national median, making this a more affordable market for families entering homeownership or renting. The area remains a working-family neighborhood with steady suburban expansion on the far east side of the city.

Canutillo ISD, the parent district, has navigated significant budget strain in recent years. Enrollment has declined, and the district approved layoffs and program restructuring in spring 2025 to address a projected deficit. That said, the district achieved its first balanced budget in several years by June 2025 with state funding support. On the positive side, the district has invested in distinctive programming: a full-day dual-language Pre-K 3 program using Reggio Emilia methods, a Montessori program, and new career academies in criminal justice and education at the middle school level. A substantial bond approved by voters in 2024 will fund reconstruction of four campuses districtwide, including safety and facility upgrades, though implementation lies ahead.

For families considering this school, the math proficiency gap in third and fourth grade may warrant a closer look. The school's strength in ELA and its top-quartile standing among county peers suggest solid baseline instruction, but the science proficiency and performance variance across grades suggest that individual student needs, especially in math, may require family engagement or additional support. The East El Paso location offers affordable housing and suburban family character, while the broader district is investing in infrastructure and specialized programs even as it manages enrollment and budget constraints.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 357%

School 57% · District 47% · ▲ 10 pts above district

▲ 17 pts above state median · ▲ 18 pts above county median

Grade 457%

School 57% · District 37% · ▲ 20 pts above district

▲ 16 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

Grade 571%

School 71% · District 53% · ▲ 18 pts above district

▲ 30 pts above state median · ▲ 25 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 357%

School 57% · District 21% · ▲ 36 pts above district

▲ 11 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

Grade 477%

School 77% · District 41% · ▲ 36 pts above district

▲ 28 pts above state median · ▲ 27 pts above county median

Grade 5100%

School 100% · District 69% · ▲ 31 pts above district

▲ 46 pts above state median · ▲ 42 pts above county median

Science

Grade 553%

School 53% · District 15% · ▲ 38 pts above district

▲ 30 pts above state median · ▲ 28 pts above county median

This schoolCANUTILLO ISD, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 4Lower-income59%Higher-income86%27 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income68%Higher-income90%22 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 5Lower-income43%Higher-income83%40 pp gap