SE Texas Times

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

Of the 15,610 students attending Orange County schools, 66.8% were white. Hispanic students comprised the second-largest ethnic group in the county, making up 14.7% of the student body.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most represented group in Orange County districts, comprising 68% of the student body.

West Orange-Cove CISD had the most even distribution of races among county districts, with 53.7% Black students, 20.9% Hispanic students, 17.2% white students, 7.2% multiracial students, 0.4% Asian students, 0.3% American Indian students, and 0.3% Pacific Islander students.

In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students enrolled in the county increased 1.5% compared to the previous year.

The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Orange 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
Bridge City ISD	White	71.3%	3,144
Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD	White	73.4%	3,340
Orangefield ISD	White	83.5%	1,856
Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies STEM School	Black	86.6%	337
Vidor ISD	White	86.3%	4,315
West Orange-Cove CISD	Black	53.7%	2,618