Below Average
#7397 of 8,547 schools in TX
Zapata H S
High School · ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076
Enrollment
1,068
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,068
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Zapata
#3 of 6
public schools
Texas high schools
#1,609 of 1,699
In district
#3 of 6
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
About Zapata H S
Zapata High School serves 1,068 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Zapata, Texas. With 71 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.0:1, providing opportunities for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #5026 among 8,598 Texas high schools, placing it in the 42nd percentile statewide.
This positioning indicates the school has room for academic growth as it works to support its student population's educational development. Zapata High School serves a community where families face economic challenges, with a median household income of $34,779 and a poverty rate of 38.5%. In the surrounding 78076 ZIP code area, 11% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value is $86,300.
These demographics reflect a working-class community where educational opportunities can play a crucial role in student advancement. As a regular public school, Zapata High School provides comprehensive high school programming for students in this close-knit border community. The school is situated in a rural area near town, serving families throughout Zapata County in an environment that balances small-town familiarity with access to essential services and resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Zapata H S 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
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Zapata H S — Students at Zapata H S score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.9%
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: 2.6/10.
How Zapata H S Compares
See how Zapata H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 23% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zapata H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. UNITED STEP ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 33.4 miles away, in nearby Rio Bravo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROMA H S (rated 6.8/10, 36.4 miles away, in nearby Roma), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Zapata, see our Zapata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 38.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL Zapata | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| ZAPATA MIDDLE Zapata | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| ZAPATA SOUTH EL Zapata | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| ZAPATA NORTH EL Zapata | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| BENAVIDES EL Zapata | 14.3 mi | 3.0 |
| KENNEDY ZAPATA EL Laredo | 31.8 mi | 3.6 |
| JUAREZ/LINCOLN EL Rio Bravo | 32.9 mi | 4.4 |
| UNITED STEP ACADEMY Rio Bravo | 33.4 mi | 7.3 |
| SALVADOR GARCIA MIDDLE Rio Bravo | 33.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ROMA MIDDLE Roma | 36.2 mi | 4.3 |
| EMMA VERA EL Roma | 36.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ROMA H S Roma | 36.4 mi | 6.8 |
| RAMIRO BARRERA MIDDLE Roma | 38.8 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78076 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$35,763
Median Home Value
$89,600
Median Rent
$566/mo
Population
13,085
College Educated
13.5%
Homeownership
73.7%
Avg Commute
25.3 min
Poverty Rate
39.2%
Median Age
31
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zapata H S has a median household income of $35,763. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $89,600, with a median rent of $566/month. The area has a poverty rate of 39.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MERCEDES H S Mercedes, TX | 4.5 |
| AUSTIN H S El Paso, TX | 4.4 |
| COLUMBIA H S West Columbia, TX | 4.6 |
| COMMUNITY H S Nevada, TX | 4.4 |
| DAVID W CARTER H S Dallas, TX | 4.6 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - FORT WORTH Fort Worth, TX | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zapata H S
What grades does Zapata H S serve?
Zapata H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Zapata H S?
Zapata H S has an enrollment of approximately 1,068 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zapata H S?
The student-teacher ratio at Zapata H S is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Zapata H S rank in TX?
Zapata H S is ranked #7397 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Zapata H S's MySchoolScout rating?
Zapata H S has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Zapata H S?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zapata H S has 44.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Zapata H S a charter school?
No, Zapata H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Zapata H S a Title I school?
No, Zapata H S is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zapata H S?
87.9% of students at Zapata H S 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,068
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 71
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Zapata County
- Phone
- (956) 765-0280
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD- District Enrollment
- 3,359
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,602
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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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