Summary:
The Zavalla Independent School District (Isd) is a small, rural district in Texas serving just 303 students across two schools: Zavalla Elementary (Pre-K through 5th grade) and Zavalla High School (6th through 12th grade). The district faces significant academic challenges, particularly in mathematics, but also shows clear pockets of strength and a positive upward trend at the high school level.
Zavalla High School is the standout school, demonstrating remarkable improvement in its state ranking, jumping from the 35th percentile to the 55th percentile over three years. It excels in Reading and English Language Arts, outperforming state averages in 6th, 8th, and English I and II exams, and also beats the state in U.S. History. The high school boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate. In contrast, Zavalla Elementary is struggling, ranking in the 21st percentile (1 star) and showing proficiency rates significantly below state averages in nearly every subject, with mathematics being a critical weakness (e.g., only 26% proficient in 4th grade math vs. the state average of 49%).
A key takeaway is the district's "tale of two schools": the high school is on an upward trajectory while the elementary school is in academic crisis, particularly in math. This math problem is systemic, as high school math scores are also below state averages (e.g., only 27% proficient in Algebra I vs. 54% statewide). Despite above-average per-student spending ($14,000-$15,600) and low student-teacher ratios (under 11:1), the elementary school's performance remains critically low, suggesting resources may not be effectively allocated. The high school's "reading renaissance" is a bright spot, with 8th graders scoring 25 percentage points above the state average, indicating a successful literacy program that could be replicated at the elementary level to improve foundational skills.
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