Total enrollment
3,290
-196 (-6%) vs SY 2020-21
Zapata County
Texas · Public K-12
Parents in Zapata County researching K-12 options have 6 public schools to consider, with combined enrollment near 3,290 (4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high).
4-year change in Zapata County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Zapata County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Texas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 43.0% | #124 of 192 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,290 | #124 of 196 | #1,742 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #170 of 196 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.9:1 | #113 of 196 | #1,330 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 88.9% | #3 of 196 | #300 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 1.0% | #192 of 192 | #2,661 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Residents
13,841
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
6
1 districts
Enrollment
3,290
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$39,239
Below Texas avg
Free/reduced lunch
88.9%
Above Texas avg
Elementary
4
1,495 students
Middle
1
730 students
High
1
1,065 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
3,290 students · 1 district in Zapata County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Zapata County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
15.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
35.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.3%
civilian labor
Median age
32
31.6% under 18
Test scores in Zapata County
Latest 2025-26 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Texas state average: 55.6%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- ZAPATA SOUTH EL· 60.0%
- ZAPATA NORTH EL· 52.0%
- BENAVIDES EL· 50.0%
- ZAPATA MIDDLE· 47.0%
- ZAPATA H S· 46.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL· 45.0%
- ZAPATA H S· 46.0%
- ZAPATA MIDDLE· 47.0%
- BENAVIDES EL· 50.0%
- ZAPATA NORTH EL· 52.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZAPATA H S | Zapata | High | 09-12 | 1,065 | · |
| ZAPATA MIDDLE | Zapata | Middle | 06-08 | 730 | · |
| ZAPATA NORTH EL | Zapata | Elementary | PK-05 | 571 | · |
| FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL | Zapata | Elementary | PK-05 | 445 | · |
| ZAPATA SOUTH EL | Zapata | Elementary | PK-05 | 428 | · |
| BENAVIDES EL | San Ygnacio | Elementary | PK-05 | 51 | · |
Cities in Zapata County
About Zapata County
In Texas, Zapata County is a compact county of about 13,841 residents. 6 public schools across the county teaches about 3,290 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $39,239, about 15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 36% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 41% noticeably below the Texas median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Zapata County comprises 4 elementary schools (1,495 students), 1 middle school (730), and 1 high school (1,065).
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,290 students on its own.
Trend over the past 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment declined 6%: 3,486 students in SY 2020-21 versus 3,290 in SY 2024-25.
On allk12, the community for Zapata County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data