Grayson Times

The majority of students in Cooke County school districts were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Of the 6,905 students attending Cooke County schools, 54.8% were white. Hispanic students comprised the second-largest ethnic group in the county, making up 37.5% of the student body.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most represented group in Cooke County school districts, comprising 55.6% of the student body.

Gainesville ISD had the most even distribution of races among the districts in the county, with 62.1% Hispanic, 26.6% white, 5.5% multiracial, 4.2% Black, 1% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, and 0.1% Pacific Islander students.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in the county increased 0.1% compared to the previous year.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Cooke 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
Callisburg ISD	White	79.3%	1,191
Era ISD	White	80.2%	509
Gainesville ISD	Hispanic	62.1%	3,088
Lindsay ISD	White	92.6%	484
Muenster ISD	White	89.6%	565
Sivells Bend ISD	White	82.4%	74
Valley View ISD	White	58.6%	930
Walnut Bend ISD	White	78.1%	64