Average
#5338 of 8,547 schools in TX
Zapata Middle
Middle School · ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Zapata
#2 of 6
public schools
Texas middle schools
#1,118 of 1,693
In district
#2 of 6
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
About Zapata Middle
Zapata Middle serves grades 6–8 in the small, remote town of Zapata, Texas, with an enrollment of 750 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, supported by 59 full-time equivalent teachers. This ratio provides students with reasonable access to instructional support.
Academically, Zapata Middle is working with significant room for growth. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 reflects challenges in core subjects. Across grades, 26% of students are meeting proficiency standards in ELA/Reading, while 22% are proficient in Math.
These results place the school in the 20th percentile statewide, ranking #6871 out of 8598 Texas schools. For families considering this school, it's important to understand the current academic landscape. The low proficiency rates indicate substantial work ahead in building foundational skills in literacy and mathematics.
Parents may want to discuss personalized support strategies with teachers and explore how the school is addressing these academic gaps. Zapata Middle's remote location in Zapata County shapes its character as a neighborhood institution serving the local community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Zapata Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The chronic absenteeism rate at Zapata Middle is 40%, which is above the national average. Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days) can affect classroom dynamics and pacing. Parents should ask about the school's attendance support programs and what resources are available to help families address barriers to consistent attendance.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Zapata Middle — Students at Zapata Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.3%
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: 6.9/10.
How Zapata Middle Compares
See how Zapata Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zapata Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RAMIRO BARRERA MIDDLE (rated 5.2/10, 38.9 miles away, in nearby Roma), with a comparable rating. Another option is SALVADOR GARCIA MIDDLE (rated 4.9/10, 33.8 miles away, in nearby Rio Bravo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ROMA MIDDLE (rated 4.3/10, 36.0 miles away, in nearby Roma), a more accessible option. For more schools in Zapata, see our Zapata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
15 within 39.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ZAPATA NORTH EL Zapata | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL Zapata | 0.7 mi | 3.4 |
| ZAPATA SOUTH EL Zapata | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| ZAPATA H S Zapata | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| BENAVIDES EL Zapata | 13.7 mi | 2.7 |
| KENNEDY ZAPATA EL Laredo | 31.9 mi | 3.6 |
| JUAREZ/LINCOLN EL Rio Bravo | 33.1 mi | 3.9 |
| UNITED STEP ACADEMY Rio Bravo | 33.5 mi | 5.4 |
| SALVADOR GARCIA MIDDLE Rio Bravo | 33.8 mi | 4.9 |
| ROMA MIDDLE Roma | 36.0 mi | 4.3 |
| EMMA VERA EL Roma | 36.2 mi | 5.9 |
| ROMA H S Roma | 36.2 mi | 7.0 |
| ROEL A & CELIA R SAENZ EL Roma | 38.3 mi | 5.0 |
| RAMIRO BARRERA MIDDLE Roma | 38.9 mi | 5.2 |
| RT BARRERA EL Roma | 39.8 mi | 4.0 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| ARMSTRONG MIDDLE Plano, TX | 5.7 |
| BANDERA MIDDLE Bandera, TX | 5.7 |
| BLOCKER MIDDLE Texas City, TX | 5.7 |
| BOLES J H Arlington, TX | 5.7 |
| CARPENTER MIDDLE Plano, TX | 5.7 |
| CLARK MIDDLE Princeton, TX | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zapata Middle
What grades does Zapata Middle serve?
Zapata Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Zapata Middle?
Zapata Middle has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zapata Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Zapata Middle is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Zapata Middle rank in TX?
Zapata Middle is ranked #5338 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Zapata Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Zapata Middle has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zapata Middle has 22.0% math proficiency and 26.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Zapata Middle a charter school?
No, Zapata Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Zapata Middle a Title I school?
No, Zapata Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zapata Middle?
89.3% of students at Zapata Middle 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 750
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Zapata County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 40.0%
- Phone
- (956) 765-6542
- 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
- #2 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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