Average
#4680 of 8,547 schools in TX
Encinal EL
Elementary School · COTULLA ISD
310 N MAIN ST, Cotulla, TX 78014
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cotulla
#3 of 4
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,285 of 4,678
In district
#3 of 4
COTULLA ISD
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Encinal EL
Encinal Elementary serves 75 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small town of Cotulla, Texas. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, with 9 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention to each child. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #374 out of 8,598 Texas elementary schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide.
This strong ranking is particularly noteworthy given the school's rural setting and the economic challenges facing the community. Located at 310 N Main Street, Encinal Elementary operates in a neighborhood where the median household income is $67,994, though nearly one-third of residents live below the poverty line. The area has a relatively low rate of college education, with just 5% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values around $95,000.
Despite these socioeconomic factors, the school's high state ranking suggests it's successfully supporting student achievement. The intimate class sizes allow teachers to provide individualized instruction and build strong relationships with students and families. Encinal Elementary sits in the heart of remote rural La Salle County, serving as an educational cornerstone for this tight-knit Texas community of approximately 5,245 residents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 75 students, Encinal EL is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Encinal EL offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Encinal EL may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Encinal EL — Students at Encinal EL score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.9/10.
How Encinal EL Compares
See how Encinal EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 34.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2021).
Location
310 N MAIN ST, Cotulla, TX 78014
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Encinal EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RAMIREZ-BURKS EL (rated 7.8/10, 28.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KAZEN EL (rated 5.4/10, 32.7 miles away, in nearby Laredo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ROBERTO J SANTOS EL (rated 5.2/10, 30.8 miles away, in nearby Laredo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cotulla, see our Cotulla schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FRANK NEWMAN MIDDLE Cotulla | 28.2 mi | 7.0 |
| RAMIREZ-BURKS EL Cotulla | 28.6 mi | 7.8 |
| COTULLA H S Cotulla | 28.7 mi | 6.0 |
| UNITED H S Laredo | 29.5 mi | 6.2 |
| SAN ISIDRO EL Laredo | 29.7 mi | 3.8 |
| ROBERTO J SANTOS EL Laredo | 30.8 mi | 5.2 |
| CHARLES BORCHERS EL Laredo | 30.8 mi | 5.1 |
| DR MALAKOFF EL Laredo | 30.9 mi | 4.6 |
| JULIA BIRD JONES MULLER EL Laredo | 30.7 mi | 3.3 |
| COL SANTOS BENAVIDES EL Laredo | 31.4 mi | 3.7 |
| MATIAS DE LLANO EL Laredo | 31.7 mi | 4.1 |
| ELIAS HERRERA MIDDLE Laredo | 31.8 mi | 5.0 |
| JOHN B ALEXANDER H S Laredo | 32.2 mi | 6.3 |
| BARBARA FASKEN EL Laredo | 32.4 mi | 3.8 |
| TRAUTMANN EL Laredo | 32.7 mi | 4.5 |
| TRAUTMANN MIDDLE Laredo | 32.8 mi | 4.1 |
| JOHNSONS DAYCARE AND LEARNING CENTER Laredo | 32.7 mi | — |
| KAZEN EL Laredo | 32.7 mi | 5.4 |
| HECTOR J GARCIA EARLY COLLEGE H S Laredo | 33.0 mi | 7.6 |
| MUNDO MONTESSORI Laredo | 33.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78014 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,216
Median Home Value
$77,100
Population
5,542
College Educated
8.5%
Homeownership
76.4%
Poverty Rate
24%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Encinal EL has a median household income of $58,216. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $77,100. The area has a poverty rate of 24.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ABIDING WORD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Houston, TX | 6.1 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL La Grange, TX | 6.1 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Edinburg, TX | 6.1 |
| CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Palestine, TX | 6.0 |
| FT WORTH ADVENTIST JR ACADEMY Fort Worth, TX | 6.0 |
| HILL COUNTRY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boerne, TX | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Encinal EL
What grades does Encinal EL serve?
Encinal EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Encinal EL?
Encinal EL has an enrollment of approximately 75 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Encinal EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Encinal EL is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Encinal EL rank in TX?
Encinal EL is ranked #4680 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Encinal EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Encinal EL has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Encinal EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Encinal EL has 29.8% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Encinal EL a charter school?
No, Encinal EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Encinal EL a Title I school?
No, Encinal EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Encinal EL?
93.3% of students at Encinal EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (14/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 75
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- La Salle County
- Phone
- (956) 948-5324
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
COTULLA ISD- District Enrollment
- 1,143
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,168
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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