Summary:
The city of Zapata, Texas, is served by the Zapata County Independent School District (Isd), which includes five public schools—one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools—educating approximately 3,239 students in a community where over 86% of students face economic disadvantage.
Among the elementary schools, Zapata South Elementary stands out as a remarkable improver, jumping from the 43rd percentile (2 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 67th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026, making it the highest-ranked elementary in the district. Its 4th graders achieved an impressive 73.81% proficiency in both Reading and Math, exceeding state averages. In contrast, Zapata High School is a struggling school, ranking in the 1st percentile (0 stars) statewide, with critically low proficiency rates—only 0.89% in English I Reading and 6.98% in Algebra I. Zapata Middle shows mixed results: reading proficiency is closer to state averages, but math is a major weakness, especially in 7th grade where just 4.1% of students are proficient (state: 29.41%). Zapata North Elementary and Fidel And Andrea R Villarreal Elementary round out the elementary options, with per-student spending ranging from $9,515 to $10,355 and favorable student-teacher ratios between 12:1 and 15.5:1.
A key takeaway is the stark contrast between elementary "bright spots" and the high school "crisis," suggesting students fall behind during middle school, particularly in math, and cannot recover by high school. While Zapata High School boasts a 94.9% graduation rate, this masks low academic readiness, as state test scores are among the lowest in Texas. Mathematics is a district-wide weakness, from elementary through high school, indicating a systemic issue needing attention. For parents, the elementary schools offer competitive performance, but the middle and high schools present significant challenges in preparing students for college or careers.
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