The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in English language arts. The lowest is 32% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Carl Schurz El
Carl Schurz Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in New Braunfels, a growing community in Comal County. The school enrolls a modest number of students with a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, alongside a smaller White population. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting mixed income levels in the attendance area.
On state assessments administered in the most recent school year, Carl Schurz shows a mixed academic picture. In fourth grade, both reading and math proficiency rates sit solidly in the mid-to-high range. Fourth grade reading is stronger than fourth grade math. Fifth grade reading and math proficiency both sit in the lower-to-mid range. Science proficiency in fifth grade, the only grade where science is tested, falls into the lower range. Third grade results are notably weak in reading and are not available for math in the standard assessment version; the school administered a Spanish-language version of the test to a small group of third graders in Spanish, which complicates direct comparison. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among the two other districts in Comal County, though this comparison is limited.
The school's broader achievement profile shows that a significant majority of students meet or approach the state's proficiency standard across subjects when progress toward proficiency is included. A smaller share reaches the highest mastery level. In reading, students tend to perform better than in math or science. The gap between reading and science achievement is notable and worth monitoring.
New Braunfels ISD, the parent district, is in active growth and investment mode. Voters approved a substantial bond in May 2024 for districtwide facilities upgrades including high school improvements and technology. A year earlier, in November 2021, the district passed what was then its largest bond, which funded the opening of Long Creek High School, a second comprehensive high school that opened in fall 2024. The district has also kept property tax rates stable or declining in recent years while property values in the area have risen, a favorable condition for home affordability. In fall 2026, the district will open its first elementary magnet school, offering a specialized, application-based curriculum that families can choose to apply for, creating a new school-choice option within the district.
Housing values in the New Braunfels zip code are moderate for the region, with home prices and rental rates both declining slightly year over year. Mortgage affordability relative to income is reasonable compared to national benchmarks. The community itself has seen steady growth and redevelopment, typical of a suburb in the San Antonio region.
Carl Schurz is a regular public school with no special magnet or charter designation. It is a neighborhood school serving its assigned attendance zone. For families considering the area, the school represents a standard elementary option within a district that is investing heavily in new facilities and maintaining competitive tax rates. Performance in the upper elementary grades suggests reasonable preparation for middle school, though parents may want to look into the school's specific strategies for strengthening math and science outcomes, particularly as students progress through fifth grade.
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