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When searching for a new home, prospective buyers consider many factors. How many square feet are in the basement? Is there a pool in the backyard? Is this neighborhood close to where I work?
However, one particular question seems to take the cake these days: What school district are we in?
A recent Realtor.com survey revealed that over 90% of buyers consider school districts very important when searching for their new home...and for good reason! From academics to extracurricular activities, your child's educational experience truly shapes the way they relate to the world around them. And even if you don’t have kids, school districts matter: properties that fall in favorable school districts are generally worth more and able to sell faster. Accordingly, New Braunfels has set high standards for the next generation, providing excellent private and public schools.
Just what are the school districts in the New Braunfels area? New Braunfels ISD and Comal ISD service the main parts of New Braunfels, with some supplementation from Navarro ISD on the east edge of the town. How would you determine which district is right for you? Obviously, a school’s reputation is built on more than just academics or neighborhood stereotypes. A public school system is just that: a system with many parts working together to form a holistic educational experience. There are plenty of factors that make up this system...the quality and variety of extracurricular activities, school diversity, and teachers, among others.
Image courtesy of MySanAntonio.com
Niche.com took this mentality into account when they released statistical and ranked information regarding school systems across the nation. Niche’s ranking system employs a “healthy balance between statistical rigor and practical relevance,” including parent/student surveys, government and public data, school records, etc. Niche essentially considers the overall experience of the students and parents involved in a particular school district. Each school receives an overall grade based on the following breakdown:
- Academics (50%)
- Health & Safety (10%)
- Student Culture & Diversity (10%)
- Survey Responses (10%)
- Teachers (10%)
- Resources & Facilities (5%)
- Extracurriculars/Activities Guide (2.5%)
- Sports & Fitness (2.5%)
So, how did New Braunfels schools stack up?
1. Comal ISD
Approximately 18,700 students attend Comal Independent School District, which is spread out over 35 schools! 88% of students in this district scored “proficient” in state assessments for math and/or reading. The district spends approximately $11,500 on each student, with an annual budget of $203,240,000.
Comal ISD also boasts an above-average graduation rate at about 93%, as well as a below-average dropout rate. Of students who attend college after graduating from New Braunfels ISD, the schools most attended are: University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and Texas A&M University. The most popular college majors chosen by these students are (in order of popularity) nursing, business, biology, psychology, engineering.
Niche awarded Comal ISD the highest grades based on their resources and facilities, student diversity, and academics, followed closely by excellent health and safety measures, as well as sports and extracurriculars. Details below.
Individual grades: A (Resources/Facilities), A- (Student Culture/Diversity), B+ (Academics), B (Health/Safety, Sports/Fitness), B- (Extracurriculars/Activities)
Top Elementary Schools Include:
- Bill Brown Elementary School
- Clear Spring Elementary School
- Indian Springs Elementary School
- Johnson Ranch Elementary School
- Kinder Ranch Elementary School
Top Middle Schools Include:
- Canyon Middle School
- Church Hill Middle School
- Mt. Valley Middle School
- Smithson Valley Middle School
- Spring Branch Middle School
Top High Schools Include:
New Braunfels Independent School District serves almost 8,300 students across 14 schools from Pre-K to high school. According to state standards, 85% of students in this district are considered proficient in state assessments involving math and reading. Annually, the district spends about $90,244,000 on education, evening out to approximately $11,270 per student. Their mission statement reads: "New Braunfels ISD provides an environment where all students are engaged and empowered to become self-reliant learners in a constantly changing world."
New Braunfels ISD also boasts an above-average graduation rate at about 95%, and their average ACT score is well above average. Of students that do attend college after graduating from New Braunfels ISD, the schools most attended are: Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University. The most popular college majors chosen by these students are (in order of popularity) are: nursing, psychology, business, and biology.
Niche awarded New Braunfels ISD the highest grades based on their academics and educational outcomes and student diversity, followed closely by teacher excellence and good administration and policies. Details below.
Individual grades: A (Academics and Educational Outcomes), A- (Student Culture/Diversity), B (Teachers), B- (Administration and Policies)
Elementary Schools include:
Middle Schools Include:
High Schools Include:
3. Navarro ISD:
Though technically centered in the Seguin Township, Navarro Independent School District overlaps with New Braunfels territory as well. The smallest of the local districts, Navarro educates almost 1,700 students across 4 schools. According to Texas state testing, about 88% of students in this district are considered proficient in math and reading. The district’s annual budget of $13,651,000 is divided out to equal about $8,511 per student.
Just like New Braunfels ISD, Navarro boasts an above-average graduation rate (about 95%), as well as a very low school dropout rate...about half the national average! Of students that do attend college after graduating from Navarro ISD schools, the most students attend Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Texas at San Antonio. The most popular college majors chosen by these students are (in order of popularity): business, nursing, psychology, business management, biomedical sciences.
Niche awarded Navarro ISD the highest grades for student diversity and academics. They also received high marks on the effectiveness of their adminsitration, as well as extracurriculars like sports, fitness, and music programs. Details below.
Individual grades: A- (Student Culture/Diversity), B+ (Academics and Educational Outcomes), B (Administration & Policies, Extracurriculars, and Sports & Fitness)
Top Public Schools Include:
Private Schools:
If you’re interested in a private education, your options are also plentiful! Area private schools include but are not limited to: Calvary Baptist Academy, Cross Lutheran School, New Braunfels Christian Academy, and St Peter & Paul Catholic School.
As you can see, New Braunfels strives for excellence in every area, including educational systems. Though each district has its strengths and weaknesses, each has proved effective. Very high rates of graduation and successful college readiness have made New Braunfels schools stand out among the rest. Talk to a REALTOR® today about how you can find a home in one of these top-notch ISDs!
