Needs Improvement
#8425 of 8,547 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
3.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
61
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Zapata
#6 of 6
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,568 of 4,678
In district
#6 of 6
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Benavides EL
Benaides Elementary in Zapata, Texas, is a small rural public school serving preschool through fifth grade. With an enrollment of just 61 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment. Five full-time equivalent teachers support this intimate setting.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.3 out of 10, reflecting that Benaides Elementary is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. Specifically, 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 32% meet proficiency standards in math. The school's state ranking of #8330 out of 8598 schools in Texas indicates that it is seeking ways to improve its educational offerings.
Benaides Elementary is situated in a remote rural area where community bonds are strong, fostering a close-knit atmosphere for students and families alike.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 61 students, Benavides 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.
Located in a rural area, Benavides 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Benavides EL — Students at Benavides EL score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.8%
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: 1.2/10.
How Benavides EL Compares
See how Benavides EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 10% (2021).
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. ZAPATA SOUTH EL (rated 6.7/10, 14.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SIGIFREDO PEREZ EL (rated 5.0/10, 27.9 miles away, in nearby Laredo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT EL (rated 4.7/10, 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 | 3.7 |
| ZAPATA NORTH EL Zapata | 13.7 mi | 4.4 |
| ZAPATA MIDDLE Zapata | 13.7 mi | 6.4 |
| ZAPATA H S Zapata | 14.3 mi | 4.5 |
| ZAPATA SOUTH EL Zapata | 14.6 mi | 6.7 |
| KENNEDY ZAPATA EL Laredo | 20.2 mi | 3.6 |
| JUAREZ/LINCOLN EL Rio Bravo | 22.1 mi | 4.4 |
| UNITED STEP ACADEMY Rio Bravo | 22.2 mi | 7.3 |
| SALVADOR GARCIA MIDDLE Rio Bravo | 22.6 mi | 5.3 |
| VETERANS MEMORIAL EL Laredo | 26.7 mi | 4.3 |
| LAMAR BRUNI VERGARA MIDDLE Laredo | 26.8 mi | 4.7 |
| LYNDON B JOHNSON Laredo | 27.0 mi | 5.0 |
| PRADA EL Laredo | 27.8 mi | 4.3 |
| FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT EL Laredo | 27.9 mi | 4.7 |
| SIGIFREDO PEREZ EL Laredo | 27.9 mi | 5.0 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-LAREDO SOUTH Laredo | 28.0 mi | 6.0 |
| LOS OBISPOS MIDDLE Laredo | 28.0 mi | 5.3 |
| JOHN W ARNDT EL Laredo | 28.2 mi | 3.6 |
| RODOLFO C CENTENO EL Laredo | 28.4 mi | 3.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benavides EL has a median household income of $35,763. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $89,600, with a median rent of $566/month. The area has a poverty rate of 39.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| YELLOW SCHOOL-MDPC Houston, TX | 3.3 |
| MARVELOUSLY MADE - THE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Helotes, TX | 3.4 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL OF ALLEN Allen, TX | 3.4 |
| BAKERS PREP SCHOOL Stafford, TX | 3.5 |
| NOVA ACADEMY CEDAR HILL Dallas, TX | 3.5 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL ROCKPORT Rockport, TX | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #8425 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Benavides EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Benavides EL has a composite rating of 3.0 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 Benavides EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benavides EL has 32.3% math proficiency and 27.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (527/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (956) 765-5611
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD- District Enrollment
- 3,359
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,602
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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