Total enrollment
5,155
-581 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
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).
7-year change in Howard County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
11
-3 (-21%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
32%
was 36%
% Hispanic
60%
was 56%
% Black
4%
was 4%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
15
4 districts
Enrollment
5,521
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 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 10 schools ranked. Texas state average: 52.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- FORSAN H S· 71.0%
- COAHOMA H S· 54.0%
- BIG SPRING INT· 51.0%
- WASHINGTON EL· 50.0%
- COAHOMA J H· 48.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- BIG SPRING J H· 39.0%
- BIG SPRING H S· 42.0%
- GOLIAD EL· 43.0%
- COAHOMA EL· 45.0%
- COAHOMA 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 7-year window. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment fell 10%: 5,736 students in SY 2017-18 versus 5,155 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Howard County lost 3 schools, going from 14 to 11. Demographically, the Hispanic share of enrollment increased from 56% to 60%.
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
Howard County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data