The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Math. The lowest is 35% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Ramirez-burks El
Ramirez-Burks Elementary is a new public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Cotulla, a small South Texas town anchored by ranching, government work, and oil-and-gas activity. The school opened in late 2021 as a brand-new facility on undeveloped land west of downtown, built with voter-approved bond funding. It is the district's modern elementary campus, free of the aging-plant constraints that characterize the older high school facility currently undergoing multi-year renovation.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school enrolls students across a wide range of family incomes and backgrounds, though economic need is concentrated in the community. Specific data on English learner and special-education enrollment was not available.
On the most recent state testing in English and math, Ramirez-Burks shows proficiency rates that reflect the economic and language environment it serves. In third and fourth grade, where the school's largest tested populations sit, proficiency in math and English language arts ranged from the mid-thirties to low-forties, meaning roughly half to two-thirds of tested students did not meet proficient performance. In math, third-grade students showed slightly stronger outcomes than fourth grade. English language arts results were notably lower, with fourth-grade proficiency at thirty percent or below. Fifth-grade data was sparse because only a tiny cohort took the Spanish-language version of the test; that small group's results are not reported publicly.
Across all tested grades and subjects combined, the school reported that about two-thirds of students scored at the "approaches" level (developing toward proficiency) or above, and about one-third met the proficient standard. The strongest relative performance appeared in math at the "meets" level, where the school reported slightly higher gains. In English language arts, the share of students mastering the standard remained low. Social studies performance was below both math and ELA.
A parent may want to look into further with the school what strategies are underway to address gaps in English language arts proficiency, given the lower performance in that domain, and what instructional supports are in place for students not yet meeting standard.
The school's new facility itself is a substantial advantage: modern buildings, updated infrastructure, and spaces designed for contemporary elementary education are meaningful assets. The school is located in a working-class town where families often move for construction, service, or oil-field work, so the student population may shift seasonally or include families in transition.
Cotulla ISD as a whole is investing in infrastructure and new pathways. The district opened this elementary school in 2021, is completing a major high school renovation through late 2026, and is launching an early college high school in fall 2026. These institutional changes signal a district actively modernizing its plant and expanding academic options, though families relocating to the area should confirm high school configuration and transportation during ongoing construction.
The housing market in Cotulla is very small, with few homes for sale and long listing times, so relocating families may face limited choice and should plan accordingly.
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