Panhandle Times

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

Of the 1,554 students attending Castro County schools, 78.3% were Hispanic. White students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 20.1% of the total enrollment.

In the previous school year, Hispanic students also made up the largest ethnic group in Castro County, comprising 79.1% of the student body.

Dimmitt High School and Nazareth School had the most diverse student body in Castro 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 4% 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
Dimmitt High School	Hispanic	89.8%	303
Dimmitt Middle School	Hispanic	93.3%	270
Hart ISD	Hispanic	92.8%	207
Nazareth School	White	87.2%	250
Richardson Elementary School	Hispanic	91.4%	524