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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-11.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,744

Zapata H S — Students at Zapata H S score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.0%
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
63%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
23%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.5/10
14th percentile in TX
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (527/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
District Enrollment
3,359
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,602
District Rank
#3 of 6

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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