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Average

#6463 of 8,552 schools in TX

Benavides EL

Elementary School · ZAPATA COUNTY ISD

P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076

Enrollment

61

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,463 of 8,552

In Zapata

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 6

ZAPATA COUNTY ISD

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Benavides EL

5.0/10

Elementary School in Zapata · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fidel and Andrea R Villarreal EL

7.8/10

13.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Zapata North EL

7.3/10

13.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Benavides EL

Benavides EL is a public elementary school in Zapata, TX, part of ZAPATA COUNTY ISD. Benavides EL serves approximately 61 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Benavides EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #6,463 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Benavides EL show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 61 students, Benavides EL is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Benavides EL sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

33% of students at Benavides EL were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,602
Chronic Absenteeism32.8%

Benavides EL — Students at Benavides EL score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 56.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2015
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2018
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
50%
ELA
36%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Benavides EL Compares

See how Benavides EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
24th percentile in TX
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benavides EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT EL (rated 7.9/10, 27.9 miles away, in nearby Laredo), which scores notably higher. Another option is FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL (rated 7.8/10, 13.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SIGIFREDO PEREZ EL (rated 7.6/10, 27.9 miles away, in nearby Laredo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Zapata, see our Zapata schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.7 mi
School Distance Rating
FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL Zapata 13.6 mi 7.8
ZAPATA NORTH EL Zapata 13.7 mi 7.3
ZAPATA MIDDLE Zapata 13.7 mi 4.4
ZAPATA H S Zapata 14.3 mi 6.2
ZAPATA SOUTH EL Zapata 14.6 mi 7.0
KENNEDY ZAPATA EL Laredo 20.2 mi 7.5
JUAREZ/LINCOLN EL Rio Bravo 22.1 mi 5.1
UNITED STEP ACADEMY Rio Bravo 22.2 mi 5.4
SALVADOR GARCIA MIDDLE Rio Bravo 22.6 mi 8.0
VETERANS MEMORIAL EL Laredo 26.7 mi 7.4
LAMAR BRUNI VERGARA MIDDLE Laredo 26.8 mi 7.3
LYNDON B JOHNSON Laredo 27.0 mi 6.5
PRADA EL Laredo 27.8 mi 7.1
FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT EL Laredo 27.9 mi 7.9
SIGIFREDO PEREZ EL Laredo 27.9 mi 7.6
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-LAREDO SOUTH Laredo 28.0 mi 5.8
LOS OBISPOS MIDDLE Laredo 28.0 mi 7.9
JOHN W ARNDT EL Laredo 28.2 mi 7.1
RODOLFO C CENTENO EL Laredo 28.4 mi 7.6
YOUTH RECOVERY HOME Laredo 28.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78076 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$35,763

Median Home Value

$89,600

Median Rent

$566/mo

Population

13,085

College Educated

13.5%

Homeownership

73.7%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

39.2%

Median Age

31

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AMEEN ACADEMY Plano, TX 5.0
SALEM SAYERS BAPTIST ACADEMY Adkins, TX 5.0
AHB COMMUNITY SCHOOL Austin, TX 5.1
APPLE BEE MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY Laredo, TX 4.9
ASCENT: AN ACTON ACADEMY Austin, TX 4.9
BKM KATY TAMIL SCHOOL Houston, TX 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benavides EL

What grades does Benavides EL serve?

Benavides EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Benavides EL?

Benavides EL has an enrollment of approximately 61 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benavides EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Benavides EL is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benavides EL rank in TX?

Benavides EL ranks #6,463 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Benavides EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Benavides EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benavides EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benavides EL has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Benavides EL a charter school?

No, Benavides EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benavides EL a Title I school?

No, Benavides EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benavides EL?

91.8% of students at Benavides 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
61
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Zapata County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.8%

District

ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
District Enrollment
3,359
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,602
District Rank
#5 of 6

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