About Schmalz Elementary

Schmalz Elementary opened in August, 2001. The school was named in honor of veteran Katy ISD educators Jean and Betty Schmalz. Mr. Schmalz taught art at Katy Jr. High and Katy High School, while Mrs. Schmalz served Katy High for 39 years, first as an English teacher and later as librarian.

One of the first two elementary schools to be built using a newly developed design, Schmalz was built to house approximately 1030 students. The school has 48 regular classrooms arranged in grade-level pods around a central library/media center.  Each pod has a teacher work and planning area with storage space.  The floor plan also includes two art classrooms, two music classrooms, two computer labs, and a parent/volunteer workroom. Schmalz is also home to one of Katy ISD's seven elementary bilingual programs.

Schmalz Elementary provides a variety of opportunities for parents and the community to get involved in their children's education: Nifty Fifty's Night, Family Math Night, Breakfast with Santa, Family Reading Night, TAKS Nights, Science Night, Art Night, PTA Meetings complete with student performances, and the Parent Center.

Schmalz offers a variety of programs for students including After School Academy, REACH (Reading Empowers All Children), TItle1, Junior Great Books, Junior Achievement, DARE, Chess Club, Choir, Challenge, and Accelerated Reading.

Schmalz Elementary's Mission Statement

Schmalz Elementary School will work collaboratively with parents and community to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment in which parents are involved, students are challenged and teachers are dedicated to the belief that every child will learn. The implementation of an aligned comprehensive curriculum, partnered with a sincere commitment, will offer each child academic preparation and the opportunity to become productive and continuous learners, effective communicators, good citizens, and valued leaders of the future.

Awards and Honors

• InvestWrite National Competition, third place champion, 2006

School Report Card Data

2007-08 TAKS Scores

• Grade 3
• Reading: 97.0%
• Math: 87.3%
• Grade 4
• Reading: 90.4%
• Math: 86.4%
• Writing: 95.5%
• Grade 5
• Reading: 100%
• Math: 99.3%
• Science: 93.0%
  
  
• 2008 Accountability rating: Recognized

2007 TEA Report Card Data

• Attendance rate: 96.9%
• Avg. yrs. teacher experience: 10.5
• Avg. students per teacher: 14.5
• K: 22.6
• 1st: 19.4
• 2nd: 21.3
• 3rd: 18.4
• 4th: 19.8
• 5th: 23.5
• Student profile:
• Hispanic: 56.4%
• White: 25.3%
• African American: 12.2%
• Asian: 6.1%
• Native American: 0.1%
• Low income: 56.1%
• Limited English: 42.7%
•    Special program enrollment:
• Special education: 10.4%
• Bilingual/ESL: 41.8%
• Gifted/Talented: 2.7%

Facility Improvements

Previous bond packages authorized by voters in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2002 funded the construction of 21 new schools, including Schmalz Elementary (1999 authorization). Bond funds have also provided technology retrofits and a new phone system including telephones for all teachers.