Tyler Reporter

Of the many ethnicities represented in Texas districts, the most prevalent ethnic group among students enrolled in Smith County districts in the 2022-23 school year was Hispanic, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Of the 61,021 students attending Smith County schools, 37.5% were Hispanic. White students comprised the second-largest ethnic group in the county, making up 37.3% of the student body.

In the previous school year, white students were the most represented group in Smith County districts, comprising 36.9% of the student body.

Texas College Preparatory Academies had the most even distribution of races among county districts, with 38.7% white students, 32.1% Hispanic students, 15.1% Black students, 8.8% Asian students, 4.8% multiracial students, 0.3% American Indian students, and 0.1% Pacific Islander students.

In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students enrolled in the county increased 3.5% compared to the previous year.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Smith County.

The Texas education system is currently torn between public schools and taxpayer-funded private schools.

Critics argue that private schools use funds that should go to the public school system, while private school advocates claim they’re offering better education for more Texas students.

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.

District	Most prevalent ethnic group	Percent of Total Student Body	Total enrollment
ARP ISD	White	66.8%	985
Chapel Hill ISD	Hispanic	52.6%	3,308
Cumberland Academy	White	47.6%	2,037
Lindale ISD	White	68.8%	4,469
Premier High Schools	Hispanic	55.5%	7,117
Texas College Preparatory Academies	White	38.7%	16,478
Trinity Charter School	White	40.9%	320
Troup ISD	White	71.5%	1,087
Tyler ISD	Hispanic	47.8%	18,328
Ut Tyler University Academy	White	61.7%	872
Whitehouse ISD	White	62.6%	4,916
Winona ISD	White	41.4%	1,104