Zapata Middle

Zapata Middle in Zapata, TX, serves 730 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Zapata County Independent School District (Isd), a high-poverty area where over 88% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Academically, the school faces significant challenges, particularly in math. For example, only 4.1% of 7th graders were proficient in math in the most recent school year, compared to the state average of 29.41%. Reading performance is a relative strength, with 7th and 8th grade scores within 5 to 8 points of the state average, but overall proficiency in social studies and science also lags behind. The school has a low student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, which is favorable, and a very low dropout rate of 0.0%, suggesting a strong focus on keeping students engaged. However, the school has struggled to sustain academic improvement, with performance fluctuating year to year. Special education students rank in the 7th percentile statewide, and English learners rank in the 27th percentile, indicating a need for more targeted support for these groups.

Compared to state averages, the most urgent area for improvement is 6th and 7th grade math, where proficiency gaps are the largest. The school’s manageable class sizes and low dropout rate are positive signs, but the data suggests that the challenge is not a lack of resources but rather a need for better instructional strategies and curriculum alignment, especially in math and for students with special needs. There are no other schools within 20 miles of Zapata Middle for direct comparison.