Top Rankings
Zapata County Independent School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Texas for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 5 public elementary schools serving 2,291 students in Zapata County Independent School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Texas.
Public Elementary Schools in Zapata County Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Texas public elementary school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 100% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public elementary school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (TX)
# Schools
6 Schools
6,890 Schools
# Students
3,359 Students
3,732,750 Students
# Teachers
236 Teachers
255,119 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Zapata County Independent School District, which is ranked #870 of all 1,196 school districts in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has increased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#870 out of 1202 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
44%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
46%
Graduation Rate
93%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.01
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
6%
% Hispanic
100%
53%
% Black
n/a
13%
% White
n/a
25%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,795 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,398. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,145 is less than the state median of $14,129. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$43 MM
$74,029 MM
Spending
$44 MM
$78,063 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,795
$13,398
Spending / Student
$13,145
$14,129
Best Zapata County Independent School District Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Zapata North Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
502 E 17th Ave
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-6921
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-6921
Gr: PK-5 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #22.
Zapata South Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 Delmar St
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-4332
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-4332
Gr: PK-5 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #33.
Fidel And Andrea R Villarreal Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
805 Mira Flores St
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-4321
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-4321
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #44.
Benavides Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
307 Lincoln St
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-5611
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-5611
Gr: PK-5 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Zapata Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
702 E 17th Ave
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-6542
Zapata, TX 78076
(956) 765-6542
Gr: 6-8 | 750 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Recent Articles
Public School Open House & Enrollment Season Guide
A parent-focused guide to the public school open house and enrollment season, with expert questions, timelines, and decision tips.
School Supply Budget 2026: Fees, Books, Tech Costs
School Supply Budget 2026 guide for parents, covering fees, textbooks, technology, and hidden extras to plan ahead.
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Comprehensive 2025 update on public school funding in America, new federal and state policies, per-pupil spending, and equity challenges.
