At a glance
Reported students
470
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
31.53
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Texas elementary enrollment
40th percentile
Compared with 4,659 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
502
Thigpen-Zavala El: 470 reported students.
State peer staffing position
53rd percentile
14.9:1 reported; state peer median 14.8:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 353
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32.17
- Student–teacher ratio
- 11:1
What the reported data says about Thigpen-Zavala El
Thigpen-Zavala El is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in McAllen. It is one of 31 current school records connected to McAllen ISD. NCES reports 470 students for 2024–25.
Among 4,659 elementary schools in Texas with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 519 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 40th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.9:1, close to the Texas median of 14.8:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (98.5%) and Asian (0.6%). English learners represent 62.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 17%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Thigpen-Zavala El
- 1How do the reported 14.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 31.53 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 62.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 17%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 96.6%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0.03
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White0.4%
- Hispanic98.5%
- Black0%
- Asian0.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial0.2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in McAllen ISD
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Escandon El
Elementary · Grades PK–05
478 reported students
Fields El
Elementary · Grades PK–05
443 reported students
Blanca E Sanchez
Elementary · Grades PK–05
502 reported students
Alvarez El
Elementary · Grades PK–05
435 reported students
Lucile Hendricks El
Elementary · Grades PK–05
432 reported students
Seguin El
Elementary · Grades PK–05
530 reported students
Public schools near Thigpen-Zavala El
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvarez El Elementary · McAllen ISD | PK–05 | 435 | 0.9 mi |
| Escandon El Elementary · McAllen ISD | PK–05 | 478 | 0.9 mi |
| Horizon Montessori - STEM Academy Elementary · Charter · Horizon Montessori Public Schools | PK–08 | 331 | 1.1 mi |
| Wilson El Elementary · McAllen ISD | PK–05 | 408 | 1.3 mi |
| Fields El Elementary · McAllen ISD | PK–05 | 443 | 1.4 mi |
| IDEA McAllen Academy Elementary · Charter · IDEA Public Schools | KG–05 | 738 | 1.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Thigpen-Zavala El
What grades does Thigpen-Zavala El serve?
Thigpen-Zavala El reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in McAllen ISD.
How many students attend Thigpen-Zavala El?
Thigpen-Zavala El reported 470 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 40th percentile among 4,659 Texas elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 353 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Thigpen-Zavala El?
The calculated ratio is 14.9:1, based on 470 students and 31.53 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Texas median for the same school level is 14.8:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Thigpen-Zavala El a public, charter, or magnet school?
Thigpen-Zavala El is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on McAllen ISD attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Thigpen-Zavala El students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
96.6% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Thigpen-Zavala El in?
Thigpen-Zavala El is part of McAllen ISD, based in McAllen, TX, which operates 31 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Thigpen-Zavala El?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Alvarez El (0.9 mi), Escandon El (0.9 mi), Horizon Montessori - STEM Academy (1.1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.