Skip to main content

Very Good

#2906 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 34% in state

Zavala EL

Elementary School · HARLINGEN CISD

407 N 77 SUNSHINE STRIP, Harlingen, TX 78550

Enrollment

308

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#2,906 of 8,552

In Harlingen

#14 of 32

public schools

In district

#12 of 29

HARLINGEN CISD

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Zavala EL?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Zavala EL

7.2/10

Elementary School in Harlingen · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Edna Tamayo House

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Austin EL

6.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Zavala EL

Zavala EL is a public elementary school in Harlingen, TX, part of HARLINGEN CISD. Zavala EL serves approximately 308 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Zavala EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,906 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Zavala EL show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-4.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,586
Chronic Absenteeism22.1%

Zavala EL — Students at Zavala EL score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 65.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 65.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
46.8%
ELA
49.2%
2024
Math
39%
ELA
52%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Zavala EL Compares

See how Zavala EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
66th percentile in TX
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

407 N 77 SUNSHINE STRIP, Harlingen, TX 78550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Zavala EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEE H MEANS EL (rated 9.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ALBANS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HCISD EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harlingen, see our Harlingen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
EDNA TAMAYO HOUSE Harlingen 0.5 mi
AUSTIN EL Harlingen 0.6 mi 6.5
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harlingen 0.7 mi 6.4
CROCKETT EL Harlingen 0.9 mi 6.9
HARLINGEN H S Harlingen 0.9 mi 5.8
DR ABRAHAM P CANO FRESHMAN ACADEMY Harlingen 1.0 mi 6.2
TRAVIS EL Harlingen 1.1 mi 6.1
LONG EL Harlingen 1.1 mi 4.9
ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlingen 1.2 mi 6.4
JEFFERSON EL Harlingen 1.2 mi 4.6
ST ALBANS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Harlingen 1.2 mi 7.8
HCISD EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY Harlingen 1.3 mi 7.4
VERNON MIDDLE Harlingen 1.3 mi 6.4
BOWIE EL Harlingen 1.4 mi 7.2
COAKLEY MIDDLE Harlingen 1.7 mi 4.9
LAMAR EL Harlingen 1.6 mi 5.0
MEMORIAL MIDDLE Harlingen 1.6 mi 7.4
HOUSTON EL Harlingen 1.7 mi 5.7
LEE H MEANS EL Harlingen 1.7 mi 9.1
HARLINGEN SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS Harlingen 1.8 mi 9.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,524

Median Home Value

$120,500

Median Rent

$863/mo

Population

54,169

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

52.7%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BARRINGTON PLACE EL Sugar Land, TX 7.2
BEL AIR EL Athens, TX 7.2
BIG SANDY EL Big Sandy, TX 7.2
BOWIE EL Harlingen, TX 7.2
CASTRO EL Mission, TX 7.2
CUNNINGHAM EL Austin, TX 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Zavala EL

What grades does Zavala EL serve?

Zavala EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Zavala EL?

Zavala EL has an enrollment of approximately 308 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Zavala EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Zavala EL is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Zavala EL rank in TX?

Zavala EL ranks #2,906 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Zavala EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Zavala EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Zavala EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Zavala EL has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Zavala EL a charter school?

No, Zavala EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Zavala EL a Title I school?

No, Zavala EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zavala EL?

90.3% of students at Zavala 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.1%

District

HARLINGEN CISD
District Enrollment
16,780
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,586
District Rank
#12 of 29

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.