Excellent
#812 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 10% in state
Thigpen-zavala EL
Elementary School · MCALLEN ISD
2500 GALVESTON AVE, Mcallen, TX 78501
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#812 of 8,552
In Mcallen
#6 of 37
public schools
In district
#6 of 30
MCALLEN ISD
Equity
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Thigpen-zavala EL
Elementary School in Mcallen · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Instr/guid Center
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Taylor Christian School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thigpen-zavala EL
Thigpen-zavala EL is a public elementary school in Mcallen, TX, part of MCALLEN ISD. Thigpen-zavala EL serves approximately 493 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Thigpen-zavala EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #812 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Thigpen-zavala EL show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 7.4
- TX avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thigpen-zavala EL — Students at Thigpen-zavala EL score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 7.8/10.
How Thigpen-zavala EL Compares
See how Thigpen-zavala EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2500 GALVESTON AVE, Mcallen, TX 78501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thigpen-zavala EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HORIZON MONTESSORI - STEM ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is ROMULO D MARTINEZ EL (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Mission), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ESCANDON EL (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mcallen, see our Mcallen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| INSTR/GUID CENTER Mcallen | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| TAYLOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mcallen | 0.5 mi | — |
| ALVAREZ EL Mcallen | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ESCANDON EL Mcallen | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MCALLEN Mcallen | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| HORIZON MONTESSORI - STEM ACADEMY Mcallen | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| ACHIEVE EARLY COLLEGE H S Mcallen | 1.4 mi | 9.5 |
| WILSON EL Mcallen | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| TRAVIS MIDDLE Mcallen | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| BROWN MIDDLE Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| FIELDS EL Mcallen | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| LAMAR ACADEMY Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| IDEA MCALLEN COLLEGE PREPARATORY Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| IDEA MCALLEN ACADEMY Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| SEGUIN EL Mcallen | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| MCALLEN H S Mcallen | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| ROWE H S Mc Allen | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| ROMULO D MARTINEZ EL Mission | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| LLOYD & DOLLY BENTSEN EL Mission | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| MEMORIAL H S Mcallen | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,451
Median Home Value
$149,000
Median Rent
$943/mo
Population
59,095
College Educated
26.6%
Homeownership
50.2%
Avg Commute
18.8 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AUSTIN EL Coppell, TX | 8.5 |
| BESS CAMPBELL EL Sugar Land, TX | 8.5 |
| BLANTON EL Lantana, TX | 8.5 |
| CANNON EL Grapevine, TX | 8.5 |
| CARLISLE EL Plano, TX | 8.5 |
| COTTONWOOD CREEK EL Coppell, TX | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thigpen-zavala EL
What grades does Thigpen-zavala EL serve?
Thigpen-zavala EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thigpen-zavala EL?
Thigpen-zavala EL has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thigpen-zavala EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Thigpen-zavala EL is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thigpen-zavala EL rank in TX?
Thigpen-zavala EL ranks #812 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Thigpen-zavala EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Thigpen-zavala EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Thigpen-zavala EL?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thigpen-zavala EL has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Thigpen-zavala EL a charter school?
No, Thigpen-zavala EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thigpen-zavala EL a Title I school?
No, Thigpen-zavala EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thigpen-zavala EL?
95.5% of students at Thigpen-zavala 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 493
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.6%
- Phone
- (956) 971-4377
Resources & Links
District
MCALLEN ISD- District Enrollment
- 20,095
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,409
- District Rank
- #6 of 30
Other Schools in This District
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