Abilene Times

Of the many ethnicities represented in Taylor County County schools, the most prevalent ethnic group among students enrolled in Taylor County County schools in 2021-22 school year were white, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Of the 23,936 students attending Taylor County County schools, 46.6% were white. Hispanic students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 38.1% of Taylor County County students.

In the previous school year, white students still were the most common group in Taylor County County, representing 46.7% of the student body.

Bassetti Elementary School had the most even distribution of races among the county schools, including 38.4% white students, 33.9% Hispanic students, 15.8% Black students, 8% Multi-racial students, 2.5% Asian students, 1% Pacific Islander students, and 0.4% American Indian students.

In the 2021-22 school year, the total number of students enrolled in public schools in the county increased 2.0% 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
Abilene High School	Hispanic	51.9%	2,027
Academy for Technology Engineering Math & Science	white	60.9%	350
Alcorta Elementary School	Hispanic	43.8%	473
Austin Elementary School	white	55.9%	681
Bassetti Elementary School	white	38.4%	513
Bonham Elementary School	Hispanic	41.4%	493
Bowie Elementary School	Hispanic	51.6%	494
Buffalo Gap Elementary School	white	84.6%	382
Clack Middle School	Hispanic	43.1%	720
Cooper High School	Hispanic	42.1%	1,757
Craig Middle School	Hispanic	48.6%	834
DAEP	Hispanic	42.4%	66
Day Nursery of Abilene	Hispanic	64.2%	53
Dyess Elementary School	white	44.9%	595
Jim Ned High School	white	85.9%	434
Jim Ned Middle School	white	80.7%	378
Juvenile Detention Center	Hispanic	55.6%	9
Lawn Elementary School	white	80.2%	384
Long Early Learning Center	Hispanic	53.4%	791
Madison Middle School	Hispanic	43.3%	826
Mann Middle School	Hispanic	51.6%	864
Martinez Elementary School	Hispanic	75.8%	459
Merkel Elementary School	white	69.5%	531
Merkel High School	white	68.8%	327
Merkel Middle School	white	69.2%	227
Oceans Behavioral Health	white	60%	5
Ortiz Elementary School	Hispanic	73.4%	508
Premier High School of Abilene	white	57.6%	158
Purcell Elementary School	Hispanic	59.7%	638
Stafford Elementary School	Hispanic	52.4%	431
Taylor County Learning Center	Hispanic	50%	2
Taylor County Learning Center	Hispanic	50%	4
Taylor Elementary School	white	43.7%	661
Texas Leadership of Abilene	Hispanic	50.2%	574
Thomas Elementary School	Hispanic	45.1%	368
Trent Independent School District	white	71%	138
Ward Elementary School	white	49%	498
Woodson Center for Excellence	Hispanic	56%	175
Wylie East Elementary School	white	63.4%	935
Wylie East Junior High School	white	64.9%	715
Wylie High School	white	69%	1,358
Wylie West Early Childhood Center	white	57.2%	369
Wylie West Elementary School	white	64.8%	426
Wylie West Intermediate School	white	63.3%	417
Wylie West Junior High School	white	66.4%	888