East Central Texas News

There were 1,277 Black students enrolled in Anderson County schools in the 2021-22 school year, 4.1% less than the previous year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Data showed that Anderson County welcomed 7,931 students during the 2021-22 school year. Among them, Black comprised 16.1% of the student body to be the third most represented ethnicity in the county.

Among the 24 schools in Anderson County, Palestine High School recorded the highest enrollment of Black students in the 2021-22 school year, with a total of 225 students.

Education in Texas is often a hot button issue, especially as test scores lag behind other states.

“The problems commonly cited are flaws in the school financing system, relatively low teacher salary, poor test performance by students…dropouts from traditional schools in favor of charter schools…gun violence, and mental health issues," claimed the Texas Almanac.

School name	% of Black students enrolment	Total enrollment
Palestine High School	21.6	1,040
Story Intermediate School	26.1	639
Palestine Junior High School	25.1	502
Northside Primary School	25.4	484
Southside Elementary School	29.5	468
Westwood High School	15.8	400
Westwood Elementary School	18.5	384
Frankston Elementary School	7.5	373
Westwood Primary School	24.6	342
Elkhart Elementary School	4.4	320
Elkhart High School	5.2	307
Elkhart Middle School	3	268
Slocum PK - 8	0	257
Elkhart Intermediate School	3.1	255
Cayuga Elementary School	6.9	248
Neches Elementary School	7.9	239
Frankston High School	10.8	232
Washington Early Childhood Center	28.5	228
Westwood Junior High School	21.8	206
Frankston Middle School	7.9	203
Cayuga High School	2.4	169
Cayuga Middle School	3.1	159
Neches High School	8.7	104
Slocum High School	1	104