East Central Texas News

The majority of students in Henderson County school districts were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Of the 14,199 students attending Henderson County schools, 61.4% were white. Hispanic students comprised the second-largest ethnic group in the county, making up 27.3% of the student body.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most represented group in Henderson County school districts, comprising 62.7% of the student body.

Trinidad ISD had the most even distribution of races among the districts in the county, with 49.4% white, 26.3% Hispanic, 14.7% multiracial, and 9.6% Black students.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in the county increased 0.4% compared to the previous year.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Henderson County.

The Texas education system is currently torn between public schools and taxpayer-funded private schools.

Critics argue that private schools use funds that should go to the public school system, while private school advocates claim they’re offering better education for more Texas 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.

District	Most prevalent ethnic group	Percent of Total Student Body	Total enrollment
Athens ISD	Hispanic	50.9%	3,008
Brownsboro ISD	White	71.6%	2,592
Cross Roads ISD	White	79.4%	562
Eustace ISD	White	76.8%	1,711
Lapoynor ISD	White	81.5%	493
Mabank ISD	White	66%	4,066
Malakoff ISD	White	62.5%	1,441
Murchison ISD	White	73.5%	170
Trinidad ISD	White	49.4%	156