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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-18.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,772

Marathon Independent School Dist — Students at Marathon Independent School Dist score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in TX
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

7 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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