Waco Reporter

There were five African American students enrolled in Penelope ISD schools in the 2021-22 school year, 150% more than the previous year, according to the Texas Education Agency.

Data showed that Penelope ISD schools welcomed 199 students during the 2021-22 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 2.5% of the student body to be one of the least represented ethnicities in the district.

Penelope ISD roughly covers schools within Hill County and has a main office in Penelope.

Penelope School was the only school in the district which enrolled African American students, welcoming five students in the 2021-22 school year.

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.

Year	Total District Enrollment	Total of African American Students	African American students %
2021-22	199	5	2.5
2020-21	211	2	0.9
2019-20	204	1	0.5