Panhandle Times

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

Of the 1,053 students attending Wheeler County schools, 56.5% were white. Hispanic students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 35.6% of the total enrollment.

In the previous school year, white students also made up the largest ethnic group in Wheeler County, comprising 55.4% of the student body.

Shamrock Elementary School had the most diverse student body in Wheeler 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 3% 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
Fort Elliott School	White	86.9%	153
Kelton School	White	69.9%	153
Shamrock Elementary School	White	56.3%	176
Shamrock High School	White	46.8%	111
Shamrock Middle School	White	58.9%	73
Wheeler School	Hispanic	55%	387