Average
#4330 of 8,547 schools in TX
Marfa Schools
School · MARFA ISD
P O BOX T, Marfa, TX 79843
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#272 of 477
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Marfa Schools
Marfa Schools serves 223 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the distinctive West Texas town of Marfa, located in Presidio County. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks impressively at #948 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile of Texas schools.
This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a small-school environment where every student is known. Marfa Schools serves a diverse community where the median household income is $31,452 and 29% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 27.8%, yet the community maintains a median home value of $215,200, reflecting the unique character of this artistic and cultural hub.
The school operates in Marfa's remote rural setting, where the ZIP code population of 2,814 creates a tight-knit community atmosphere that extends into the classroom, fostering strong connections between students, families, and educators in this iconic West Texas town.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Marfa Schools 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, Marfa Schools 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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Marfa Schools — Students at Marfa Schools score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
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: 4.7/10.
How Marfa Schools Compares
See how Marfa Schools performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
P O BOX T, Marfa, TX 79843
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Marfa Schools may also want to explore other schools in the area. FT DAVIS SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Ft. Davis), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Alpine), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Alpine), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Marfa, see our Marfa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
8 within 33.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FT DAVIS SCHOOL Ft. Davis | 20.4 mi | 6.7 |
| ALPINE MIDDLE Alpine | 21.1 mi | 8.8 |
| ALPINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Alpine | 21.8 mi | 5.8 |
| ALPINE H S Alpine | 21.9 mi | 7.6 |
| ALPINE EL Alpine | 21.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alpine | 22.4 mi | 6.3 |
| ALPINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alpine | 22.5 mi | 6.5 |
| VALENTINE SCHOOL Valentine | 33.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 79843 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,423
Median Home Value
$228,300
Median Rent
$460/mo
Population
2,578
College Educated
29.6%
Homeownership
76.3%
Poverty Rate
21.6%
Median Age
54.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Marfa Schools has a median household income of $39,423. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,300, with a median rent of $460/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ATHENS CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Athens, TX | 6.3 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Worth, TX | 6.3 |
| EDEN CISD Eden, TX | 6.3 |
| FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMY-BASTROP Lewisville, TX | 6.3 |
| ORION HIGH SCHOOL Midland, TX | 6.3 |
| PRAIRIE LEA SCHOOL Prairie Lea, TX | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Marfa Schools
What grades does Marfa Schools serve?
Marfa Schools serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Marfa Schools?
Marfa Schools has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Marfa Schools?
The student-teacher ratio at Marfa Schools is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Marfa Schools rank in TX?
Marfa Schools is ranked #4330 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Marfa Schools's MySchoolScout rating?
Marfa Schools has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Marfa Schools?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marfa Schools has 37.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Marfa Schools a charter school?
No, Marfa Schools is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Marfa Schools a Title I school?
No, Marfa Schools is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marfa Schools?
55.6% of students at Marfa Schools 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
- City Safety
- Average (488/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Marfa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 223
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Presidio County
- Phone
- (432) 729-5500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MARFA ISD- District Enrollment
- 223
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,356
- 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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