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Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School

Q: Is Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School a good school?

Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School ranks 1087 th of 2009 Texas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-12

1087^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,009 Texas High Schools

Better than 46% of Texas high schools

Summary

Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School in Ben Bolt, TX, is a small, rural school serving 206 students in grades 7-12 within the Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District (Isd), where nearly 85% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This school is on a promising upward trajectory, climbing from the 25th percentile statewide in 2022-2023 to the 46th percentile in 2025-2026, a turnaround that sets it apart from nearby schools like Alice High School, which has dropped to the 39th percentile, and H M King High School, which remains in the low teens.

A standout strength is the school's exceptional support for Special Education students, ranking in the 61st percentile statewide in 2025-2026—far above its overall rank. The school also excels in U.S. History, with 80% of students proficient compared to the state average of 70%. With a very low student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1, Ben Bolt offers a more personalized learning environment than neighbors like Santa Gertrudis Academy High School (15.4:1) and Bishop High School. However, the school faces challenges in Algebra I and Biology, where only 25% and 52% of students are proficient, respectively, dragging down its overall ranking.

Performance can vary by grade level, as seen in 7th-grade reading, which jumped from 31% proficiency in 2024-2025 to 62% in 2025-2026—a common issue for small schools. Compared to Agua Dulce High School, another small rural school 14 miles away, Ben Bolt has a lower student-to-teacher ratio (10.2 vs. 12.2) and a high graduation rate of 92.3%, though Agua Dulce boasts 100%. While Ben Bolt's progress is impressive, addressing weaknesses in STEM subjects and reducing year-to-year volatility will be key to sustaining its upward momentum.

206

Students ?

10.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,951

Per pupil spending ?

85%

Free/discounted lunch ?

172 Badger Ln
Ben Bolt, TX 78342-0547

(361) 664-9822

District: Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District (Isd)

Feeder schools for Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School:

Elementary:

Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Elementary

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

93.2%

White:

6.8%

See top rated Texas high schools

Compare Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 37th percentile in 2016 → 46th in 2026

Strengths

✓92% graduate within 4 years

✓Ranking is trending up — up 9 percentile points since 2016

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Algebra I scores 29 pts below the Texas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school51%

District avg51%

Texas avg54%

Middle school

844^th of 2,335

Texas public middle schools ?

Top 36%▲ up 51 pts since 2019

From bottom 12% (2019) to top 36% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

1,087^th of 2,009

Texas public high schools ?

Bottom 46%▲ up 9 pts since 2016

From bottom 37% (2016) to bottom 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

357^th of 951Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District (Isd) among Texas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	57.0	844 of 2335	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	23.8	1919 of 2344	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	45.9	1208 of 2372	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.1	1836 of 2330	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.1	2012 of 2254	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	19.7	1893 of 2252	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.5	1922 of 2193	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	10.0	2154 of 2182	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	24.1	1846 of 2118	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.4	1989 of 2058	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	34.9	1383 of 2008	31.1%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2019	75.9	175 of 1445	87.9%	★★★★☆
2018	81.8	104 of 1376	92.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	54.9	868 of 2240	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	26.6	1444 of 1825	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	48.3	1066 of 2242	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	25.9	1796 of 2241	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.2	2014 of 2221	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	17.6	1903 of 2151	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.1	1912 of 2047	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.8	1955 of 2008	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	73.0	275 of 1497	81.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	65.9	515 of 2141	75.9%	★★★★☆
2025	29.5	1326 of 1731	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	47.5	1010 of 2119	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	27.8	1657 of 2116	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	20.8	1815 of 2077	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	23.9	1703 of 2043	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	20.1	1742 of 1935	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	17.8	1771 of 1895	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	66.2	518 of 2253	77.0%	★★★★☆
2025	27.1	1476 of 1820	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	43.0	1223 of 2235	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.4	1755 of 2251	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.9	2007 of 2220	9.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	20.8	1921 of 2172	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	20.4	1862 of 2073	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.4	1849 of 2039	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	56.1	830 of 2253	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	18.9	1611 of 1818	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	37.2	1415 of 2246	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.1	1777 of 2245	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.0	1908 of 2228	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.6	1766 of 2168	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.7	1763 of 2069	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.2	1708 of 2030	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	53.1	637 of 1956	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	25.9	1309 of 1568	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.5	1447 of 1891	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	45.4	1087 of 2009	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	47.1	987 of 1974	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	36.5	1274 of 1990	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	26.0	1474 of 1961	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.1	1345 of 1876	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.5	1398 of 1861	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.7	1548 of 1857	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.6	1444 of 1797	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	32.2	1199 of 1777	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	44.0	1104 of 1762	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	35.7	1269 of 1743	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	31.9	1306 of 1734	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	47.6	950 of 1652	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	32.7	1232 of 1603	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	44.1	1230 of 1672	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	54.3	912 of 1568	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	48.6	1009 of 1539	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	53.7	853 of 1510	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2007	41.9	1058 of 1497	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	18.5	1275 of 1430	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	40.3	1050 of 1429	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	52.7	835 of 1427	41.5%	★★☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	23.0	1513 of 1837	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	28.5	1349 of 1829	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.1	1590 of 1810	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	41.0	955 of 1784	46.5%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2021	47.4	469 of 1195	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	66.3	212 of 1136	81.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	43.9	1074 of 1936	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.9	916 of 1504	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.2	1307 of 1880	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	15.0	1617 of 1891	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.5	1415 of 1841	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.0	1455 of 1815	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	13.3	1601 of 1798	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.5	1481 of 1781	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2019	29.4	994 of 1145	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	3.8	1112 of 1137	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	48.3	861 of 1860	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	41.9	744 of 1453	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.3	1224 of 1805	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.1	1285 of 1820	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.9	1210 of 1762	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.4	1242 of 1743	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.1	1450 of 1714	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.3	1367 of 1691	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	48.2	884 of 1937	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.8	677 of 1513	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	29.1	1366 of 1884	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.6	1430 of 1897	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	36.7	1172 of 1847	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.4	1207 of 1848	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	22.5	1542 of 1818	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	29.1	1379 of 1794	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	44.2	1036 of 1954	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.4	879 of 1515	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	24.7	1415 of 1891	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	37.1	1184 of 1913	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.5	1238 of 1853	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.4	1288 of 1840	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	22.5	1484 of 1824	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.2	1523 of 1803	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	49.8	611 of 1581	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	49.1	536 of 1299	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.5	705 of 1548	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	81.7	124 of 1478	91.6%	★★★★★
2022	54.0	461 of 1418	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	19.0	1282 of 1382	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	29.4	1037 of 1357	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	54.4	415 of 1347	69.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2025	7.6	1211 of 1294	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	23.4	1263 of 1556	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.4	1136 of 1526	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

English Language Learner (2019)88th percentile+76 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)82nd percentile+18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)77th percentile+13 vs school

Hispanic (2026)76th percentile+12 vs school

Special Education (2026)67th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)63rd percentile~ school

Female (2026)61st percentile-3 vs school

At Risk (2022)1st percentile-9 vs school

High school

Special Education (2026)61st percentile+15 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)61st percentile+36 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)54th percentile+8 vs school

Hispanic (2026)54th percentile+8 vs school

Male (2026)47th percentile~ school

Female (2026)45th percentile~ school

At Risk (2022)18th percentile-11 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2019)13th percentile-3 vs school

White (2025)6th percentile-44 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

U.S. History80%+10 vs state

English II Reading67%+7 vs state

Mathematics59%+19 vs state

Reading57%~ state avg

Biology52%-19 vs state

English I Reading50%-5 vs state

Algebra I25%-29 vs state

Social Studies14%-18 vs state

5.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, October 14, 2011

The Teachers actually care....Its a small town school where most if not all the students are respectful...especially the athletes.. they welcome other kids without hazing or bullying..its kind of awsome to see.. A lot of pride in the community, of course there is room for improvement. Close Quote

Schools Near Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAAR EOC Algebra I (2026)	STAAR EOC Biology (2026)	STAAR EOC English I Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC English II Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC U.S. History (2026)	STAAR Reading (2026)			STAAR Mathematics (2026)			STAAR Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR EOC Algebra I End of Course	STAAR EOC Biology End of Course	STAAR EOC English I Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC English II Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC U.S. History End of Course	STAAR Reading 6th Grade	STAAR Reading 7th Grade	STAAR Reading 8th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School	Public	7-12	172 Badger Ln	Ben Bolt	78342	Jim Wells County	Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(361) 664-9822	206	20	10.2	85.0%	14 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	192 (93.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45.4	1087^th of 2009 public high schools	45.9%		47.1	987^th of 1974 public high schools	50.0%	100	25.0	51.9	50.0	66.7	80.0		62.1	54.9		51.7	62.8	14.0	$14,951
Alice High School	Public	9-12	# 1 Coyote Trl	Alice	78332	Jim Wells County	Alice Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(361) 664-0126	1,295	71	18.1	86.3%	67 (5.2%)	8 (0.6%)	1,209 (93.4%)	5 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.4%)	40.4	1227^th of 2009 public high schools	38.9%		31	1371^st of 1974 public high schools	30.5%	144	48.1	60.1	48.6	56.5	60.7								$11,047
San Diego High School	Public	9-12	235 S Hwy 359	San Diego	78384	Duval County	San Diego Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(361) 279-3382	446	31	14.5	83.9%	8 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	437 (98.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	46.6	1047^th of 2009 public high schools	47.9%		45.7	1024^th of 1974 public high schools	48.1%	23	35.2	70.1	55.2	65.1	61.1								$12,054
Agua Dulce High School	Public	6-12	1 Longhorn Dr	Agua Dulce	78330	Nueces County	Agua Dulce Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(361) 998-2214	243	20	12.2	68.3%	67 (27.6%)	2 (0.8%)	172 (70.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	60.8	670^th of 2009 public high schools	66.7%		58	719^th of 1974 public high schools	63.6%	49	42.9	76.5	66.7	61.8	90.9	61.8	69.6	63.6	14.7	34.8	21.4	71.9	$10,218
Santa Gertrudis Academy High School	Public	9-12	1055 W Santa Gertrudis	Kingsville	78363	Kleberg County	Santa Gertrudis Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(361) 384-5041	393	25	15.4	41.2%	57 (14.5%)	2 (0.5%)	324 (82.4%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	72.2	379^th of 2009 public high schools	81.1%		68.1	471^st of 1974 public high schools	76.1%	92	69.2	78.1	77.6	70.6	79.0								$11,186
H M King High School	Public	9-12	2210 S Brahma Blvd	Kingsville	78363	Kleberg County	Kingsville Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(361) 595-8600	918	60	15.2	74.7%	74 (8.1%)	22 (2.4%)	804 (87.6%)	8 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.1%)	19.3	1658^th of 2009 public high schools	17.5%		12.8	1732^nd of 1974 public high schools	12.3%	74	12.3	56.2	36.2	40.0	45.5								$12,786
Bishop High School	Public	9-12	100 Badger Ln	Bishop	78343	Nueces County	Bishop Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(361) 584-2547	533	38	14.0	54.0%	60 (11.3%)	5 (0.9%)	460 (86.3%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	75.7	309^th of 2009 public high schools	84.6%		71.8	375^th of 1974 public high schools	81.0%	66	73.3	85.6	66.7	77.6	82.8								$9,268

Frequently Asked Questions about Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School

How many students attend Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 206 students attended Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School.

Is Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School a good school?

Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School ranks 1087^th of 2009 Texas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School in?

Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Independent School District (Isd)

What schools feed into Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School?

Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School?

Students at Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School are 93% Hispanic, 7% White.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.