Panhandle Times

Hispanic students made up the largest ethnic group in Swisher County schools in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Of the 1,445 students attending Swisher County schools, 55% were Hispanic. White students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 37% of the total enrollment.

In the previous school year, Hispanic students also made up the largest ethnic group in Swisher County, comprising 56.7% of the student body.

Tulia Elementary School had the most diverse student body in Swisher County, including white, American Indian, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and multiracial.

In the 2022-23 school year, total public school enrollment in the county dropped 2.2% when compared to the previous year.

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	Most prevalent ethnic group	Percent of Total Student Body	Total enrollment
Happy Elementary School	White	89.2%	139
Happy High School	White	77.9%	131
Kress Elementary School	Hispanic	55.2%	134
Kress High School	Hispanic	55.2%	145
Tulia Elementary School	Hispanic	66.9%	408
Tulia High School	Hispanic	66.7%	282
Tulia Junior High School	Hispanic	69.4%	206