Average
#6480 of 8,547 schools in TX
Marathon Independent School Dist
School · MARATHON ISD
P O BOX 416, Marathon, TX 79842
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
5.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
5.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#393 of 477
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Marathon Independent School Dist
Marathon Independent School District serves 59 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the remote rural community of Marathon, Texas. This small public school operates with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an exceptionally intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1. Despite its small size and remote location, the school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #945 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile among Texas schools.
This impressive performance demonstrates the school's ability to provide quality education in a close-knit setting where teachers can offer individualized attention to each student. The surrounding community reflects the character of rural West Texas, with a median household income of $43,064 and median home values around $115,300. About 35% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.5%.
The entire ZIP code area has a population of just 340 residents. Marathon Independent School District operates in the heart of Brewster County's vast desert landscape, offering students a unique educational experience shaped by the rugged beauty and tight-knit community spirit of far West Texas.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 59 students, Marathon Independent School Dist 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 5.4:1, Marathon Independent School Dist 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, Marathon Independent School Dist 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Marathon Independent School Dist — Students at Marathon Independent School Dist score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.6%
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: 1.3/10.
How Marathon Independent School Dist Compares
See how Marathon Independent School Dist performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 416, Marathon, TX 79842
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Marathon Independent School Dist may also want to explore other schools in the area. ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 27.3 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 27.4 miles away, in nearby Alpine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marathon, see our Marathon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
6 within 27.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alpine | 27.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ALPINE EL Alpine | 27.2 mi | 6.6 |
| ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alpine | 27.4 mi | 6.3 |
| ALPINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Alpine | 27.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ALPINE H S Alpine | 27.6 mi | 7.6 |
| ALPINE MIDDLE Alpine | 27.8 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 79842 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,067
Median Home Value
$143,500
Population
273
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
52.5%
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Median Age
57.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Marathon Independent School Dist has a median household income of $45,067. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,500. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Livingston, TX | 5.1 |
| CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING Tomball, TX | 5.0 |
| MIDCITIES MONTESSORI Bedford, TX | 5.0 |
| PORTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Porter, TX | 5.0 |
| WISDOM ACADEMY Dallas, TX | 5.0 |
| CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Houston, TX | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Marathon Independent School Dist
What grades does Marathon Independent School Dist serve?
Marathon Independent School Dist serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Marathon Independent School Dist?
Marathon Independent School Dist has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Marathon Independent School Dist?
The student-teacher ratio at Marathon Independent School Dist is 5.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Marathon Independent School Dist rank in TX?
Marathon Independent School Dist is ranked #6480 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Marathon Independent School Dist's MySchoolScout rating?
Marathon Independent School Dist has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Marathon Independent School Dist?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marathon Independent School Dist has 29.8% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Marathon Independent School Dist a charter school?
No, Marathon Independent School Dist is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Marathon Independent School Dist a Title I school?
No, Marathon Independent School Dist is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marathon Independent School Dist?
57.6% of students at Marathon Independent School Dist 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 (190/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 59
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Brewster County
- Phone
- (432) 386-4431
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MARATHON ISD- District Enrollment
- 59
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,695
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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