The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Natalia El
Natalia Elementary serves grades two through five in a small, rural town about thirty miles southwest of San Antonio. The school sits within Natalia ISD, which in 2026-27 is returning to a traditional five-day week after several years on a four-day schedule, a significant shift that directly affects family routines. The district also recently approved substantial bond funding for elementary campus renovations and additions, work that will reshape the physical learning environment over the coming years.
The school enrolls a small population, the majority of whom are Hispanic or Latino. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the surrounding town, where home values are modest and many families work in local agriculture, manufacturing, or small business. The built environment of Natalia itself is low-density and rural, oriented around highway access, so most families rely on cars for daily errands and activity. Despite that, the district schools cluster on or near adjacent campuses close to the town center on Eighth Street, and the school sits within a tight-knit community where weekend life often centers on youth sports and local gatherings.
In academic terms, the school's state test results show persistent challenges. Across STAAR testing for the school year reported, proficiency rates in math ranged from low in third grade to about one-third in fifth grade, with only a modest share of students reaching the "meets" level or above. English language arts showed somewhat stronger performance in fifth grade but remained below proficiency benchmarks in tested grades. Science proficiency in fifth grade was quite low. When measured across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among Medina County districts. A parent may want to look into the school's specific strategies for literacy and mathematics support, particularly in the earlier grades, and what targeted interventions are in place for students below grade level.
The school's demographics show very little racial or ethnic diversity; the student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic or Latino. Data on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was not available, so a parent seeking detail on those populations would benefit from asking the school directly. The grade bands served (grades two through five) mean there is no high school outcome data applicable to this school.
For families considering Natalia Elementary, the decision turns less on exceptional test performance than on fit with a small-town, tight-knit school culture and community life centered on family and local institutions. The recent bond approval suggests district commitment to facility investment. The return to a five-day school week removes scheduling barriers some families faced. The low proficiency numbers warrant a direct conversation with school leadership about literacy and math instruction, assessment practices, and how the school supports students who enter below grade level.
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