Panhandle Times

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

Of the 1,291 students attending Hansford County schools, 60.2% were Hispanic. White students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 39% of the total enrollment.

In the previous school year, Hispanic students also made up the largest ethnic group in Hansford County, comprising 61% of the student body.

Gus Birdwell Elementary School, Gruver High School and Gruver Elementary School had the most diverse student body in Hansford 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 3.4% 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
Gruver Elementary School	White	49.7%	159
Gruver High School	Hispanic	51%	153
Gruver Junior High School	White	56.6%	129
Gus Birdwell Elementary School	Hispanic	65.5%	357
Pringle-Morse Schools	Hispanic	64.5%	107
Spearman High School	Hispanic	66.4%	223
Spearman Junior High School	Hispanic	71.2%	163