West RGV News

The majority of students in Hidalgo County districts were Hispanic in the 2022-23 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Of the 291,836 students attending Hidalgo County schools, 89.9% were Hispanic. White students comprised the second-largest ethnic group in the county, making up 5.2% of the student body.

In the previous school year, Hispanic students were also the most represented group in Hidalgo County districts, comprising 90% of the student body.

Idea Public Schools, Premier High Schools and Texas College Preparatory Academies had the most diverse student body in the county, including white, American Indian, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and multiracial.

In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students enrolled in the county increased 5% compared to the previous year.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Hidalgo 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
Donna ISD	Hispanic	99.6%	13,165
Edcouch-Elsa ISD	Hispanic	99.7%	4,366
Edinburg CISD	Hispanic	97.8%	33,911
Excellence in Leadership Academy	Hispanic	100%	263
Hidalgo ISD	Hispanic	100%	3,010
Horizon Montessori Public Schools	Hispanic	81.3%	1,469
Idea Public Schools	Hispanic	86%	74,217
La Joya ISD	Hispanic	99.9%	24,804
La Villa ISD	Hispanic	99.8%	566
Mcallen ISD	Hispanic	93.5%	20,399
Mercedes ISD	Hispanic	97.9%	4,457
Mission CISD	Hispanic	98.9%	14,502
Monte Alto ISD	Hispanic	98.4%	865
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD	Hispanic	98.9%	30,003
Premier High Schools	Hispanic	55.5%	7,117
Progreso ISD	Hispanic	99.5%	1,444
Sharyland ISD	Hispanic	92.9%	9,732
South Texas ISD	Hispanic	83.9%	4,382
Texas College Preparatory Academies	White	38.7%	16,478
Triumph Public High Schools-Rio Grande Valley	Hispanic	99%	506
Valley View ISD	Hispanic	99.8%	3,739
Vanguard Academy	Hispanic	98.6%	5,950
Weslaco ISD	Hispanic	98.2%	16,491