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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,078

Marfa Schools — Students at Marfa Schools score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
47%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in TX
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

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.

9 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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