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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,602
Chronic Absenteeism40%

Zapata Middle — Students at Zapata Middle score 20% 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

89.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.5%
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
29%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in TX
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
40.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
District Enrollment
3,359
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,602
District Rank
#2 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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