Average
#4311 of 8,547 schools in TX
Zapata South EL
Elementary School · ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076
Enrollment
442
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
442
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Zapata
#1 of 6
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,251 of 4,678
In district
#1 of 6
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Zapata South EL
Zapata South Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Zapata, Texas. Serving students from Pre-K through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 442 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Zapata South Elementary is rated at 4.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout.com and ranks in the 34th percentile among Texas schools, with an average of 38% proficiency in both ELA/Reading and Math across all grades.
Despite its current ranking, Zapata South Elementary focuses on student development and offers a supportive learning environment. The school community works hard to foster growth and improve academic outcomes for its students. Zapata South Elementary is situated in a remote area, which means the school serves as an important hub for the local community.
What Parents Should Know
The chronic absenteeism rate at Zapata South EL is 31%, 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
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Data not available for this school
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Zapata South EL — Students at Zapata South EL score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.1%
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: 5.8/10.
How Zapata South EL Compares
See how Zapata South EL 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 48% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 158, Zapata, TX 78076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zapata South EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EMMA VERA EL (rated 5.9/10, 35.3 miles away, in nearby Roma), with a comparable rating. Another option is FLORENCE J SCOTT EL (rated 5.7/10, 37.4 miles away, in nearby Roma), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ROEL A & CELIA R SAENZ EL (rated 5.0/10, 37.4 miles away, in nearby Roma), a more accessible option. For more schools in Zapata, see our Zapata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 42.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ZAPATA MIDDLE Zapata | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| ZAPATA NORTH EL Zapata | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL Zapata | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| ZAPATA H S Zapata | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| BENAVIDES EL Zapata | 14.6 mi | 2.7 |
| KENNEDY ZAPATA EL Laredo | 32.8 mi | 3.6 |
| JUAREZ/LINCOLN EL Rio Bravo | 34.0 mi | 3.9 |
| UNITED STEP ACADEMY Rio Bravo | 34.4 mi | 5.4 |
| SALVADOR GARCIA MIDDLE Rio Bravo | 34.7 mi | 4.9 |
| ROMA MIDDLE Roma | 35.1 mi | 4.3 |
| EMMA VERA EL Roma | 35.3 mi | 5.9 |
| ROMA H S Roma | 35.3 mi | 7.0 |
| FLORENCE J SCOTT EL Roma | 37.4 mi | 5.7 |
| ROEL A & CELIA R SAENZ EL Roma | 37.4 mi | 5.0 |
| RAMIRO BARRERA MIDDLE Roma | 38.0 mi | 5.2 |
| INSTRUCTIONAL & GUIDANCE CENTER Roma | 38.7 mi | — |
| VETERANS MEMORIAL EL Roma | 39.0 mi | 4.4 |
| RT BARRERA EL Roma | 38.9 mi | 4.0 |
| IDEA RIO GRANDE CITY COLLEGE PREPARATORY Rio Grande City | 42.6 mi | 6.5 |
| IDEA RIO GRANDE CITY ACADEMY Rio Grande City | 42.6 mi | 3.5 |
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 South EL 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 |
|---|---|
| ANDREWS EL Austin, TX | 6.3 |
| ANNIE PURL EL Georgetown, TX | 6.3 |
| ANSON EL Anson, TX | 6.3 |
| ANSON JONES EL Dallas, TX | 6.3 |
| BACK EL Rowlett, TX | 6.3 |
| BENBROOK EL Fort Worth, TX | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zapata South EL
What grades does Zapata South EL serve?
Zapata South EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Zapata South EL?
Zapata South EL has an enrollment of approximately 442 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zapata South EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Zapata South EL is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Zapata South EL rank in TX?
Zapata South EL is ranked #4311 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Zapata South EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Zapata South EL has a composite rating of 6.3 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 South EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zapata South EL has 37.5% math proficiency and 38.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Zapata South EL a charter school?
No, Zapata South EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Zapata South EL a Title I school?
No, Zapata South EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zapata South EL?
87.1% of students at Zapata South 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 442
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Zapata County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 31.0%
- Phone
- (956) 765-4332
- 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
- #1 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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