Total enrollment
5,155
-415 (-7%) vs SY 2020-21
Howard County
Texas · Public K-12
Parents in Howard County researching K-12 options have 15 public schools to consider, with combined enrollment near 5,521 (8 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high).
4-year change in Howard County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
11
-2 (-15%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Howard County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Texas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 43.2% | #121 of 192 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 5,521 | #95 of 196 | #1,235 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 13 | #98 of 196 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.9:1 | #110 of 196 | #1,300 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 60.0% | #115 of 196 | #1,124 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 52.9% | #101 of 192 | #963 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Howard County school rankings
Residents
32,290
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
15
4 districts
Enrollment
5,521
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$69,649
Above Texas avg
Free/reduced lunch
60.0%
Below Texas avg
Elementary
8
2,615 students
Middle
3
1,255 students
High
4
1,651 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
BIG SPRING ISD
3,742 students · 4 districts in Howard County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Howard County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
15.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.4%
civilian labor
Median age
37
22.6% under 18
Test scores in Howard County
Latest 2025-26 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. Texas state average: 55.6%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- FORSAN H S· 64.0%
- COAHOMA J H· 61.0%
- FORSAN EL· 56.0%
- COAHOMA H S· 54.0%
- BIG SPRING J H· 48.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- COAHOMA EL· 36.0%
- WASHINGTON EL· 43.0%
- BIG SPRING H S· 47.0%
- BIG SPRING INT· 47.0%
- BIG SPRING J H· 48.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG SPRING H S | Big Spring | High | 09-12 | 982 | · |
| COAHOMA EL | Coahoma | Elementary | PK-05 | 524 | · |
| BIG SPRING INT | Big Spring | Middle | 05-06 | 522 | · |
| MARCY EL | Big Spring | Elementary | 01-02 | 513 | · |
| BIG SPRING J H | Big Spring | Middle | 07-08 | 490 | · |
| WASHINGTON EL | Big Spring | Elementary | 03-04 | 489 | · |
| MOSS EL | Big Spring | Elementary | PK-KG | 380 | · |
| FORSAN H S | Forsan | High | 06-12 | 352 | · |
| FORSAN EL | Big Spring | Elementary | PK-05 | 343 | · |
| COAHOMA H S | Coahoma | High | 09-12 | 317 | · |
| GOLIAD EL | Big Spring | Elementary | 04-04 | 271 | · |
| COAHOMA J H | Coahoma | Middle | 06-08 | 243 | · |
| KENTWOOD EL | Big Spring | Elementary | PK-PK | 95 | · |
| BIG SPRING DAEP | Big Spring | High | 05-12 | 0 | · |
| PATHWAY ACADEMY | Big Spring | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Howard County
About Howard County
In Texas, Howard County is a rural-scale county of about 32,290 residents. 15 public schools across the county educates about 5,521 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $69,649, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 5% meaningfully above the Texas median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Howard County covers 8 elementary schools (2,615 students), 3 middle schools (1,255), and 4 high schools (1,651).
BIG SPRING ISD dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,742 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment fell 7%: 5,570 students in SY 2020-21 versus 5,155 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Howard County lost 2 schools, going from 13 to 11.
On this page, the community for Howard County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data