For the 2025 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 8,986 students in Hale County, TX (there are 1 private school, serving 134 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Hale County, TX are educated in public schools (compared to the TX state average of 94%).
The top ranked public schools in Hale County, TX are Abernathy Middle School, La Mesa Elementary School and Cotton Center School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hale County, TX public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Texas public school average of 44%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 51% statewide average). Schools in Hale County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Texas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Hale County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Abernathy Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
505 7th St
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4921
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4921
Gr: 6-8 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #22.
La Mesa Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
600 S Ennis St
Plainview, TX 79073
(806) 293-6055
Plainview, TX 79073
(806) 293-6055
Gr: PK-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #33.
Cotton Center School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2345 Fm 179
Cotton Center, TX 79021
(806) 879-2176
Cotton Center, TX 79021
(806) 879-2176
Gr: PK-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Abernathy Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
505 7th St
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4930
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4930
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Petersburg School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1411 W 4th
Petersburg, TX 79250
(806) 667-3585
Petersburg, TX 79250
(806) 667-3585
Gr: PK-12 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #66.
Abernathy High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
505 7th St
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4902
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4902
Gr: 9-12 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #77.
Akin Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
N Ave K
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2121
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2121
Gr: PK-4 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #88.
Thunderbird Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1200 W 32nd St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6060
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6060
Gr: PK-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #99.
Coronado Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 43% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2501 Joliet St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6020
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6020
Gr: 6-8 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1010.
Edgemere Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2600 W 20th St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6040
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6040
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1111.
Plainview High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1501 Quincy St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6005
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6005
Gr: 9-12 | 1,430 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1212.
Carr Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
410 W 12th
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2141
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2141
Gr: 5-8 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1313.
Hillcrest Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
315 W Alpine Dr
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6050
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6050
Gr: PK-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1414.
Estacado Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 32% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2500 W 20th St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6015
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6015
Gr: 6-8 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1515.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1707 W 11th St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6045
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6045
Gr: PK-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1616.
Hale Center High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
411 Owl Dr
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2452
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2452
Gr: 9-12 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1717.
Hale County Jjaep
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1200 Houston St
Plainview, TX 79073
(806) 291-5230
Plainview, TX 79073
(806) 291-5230
Gr: 7-11 | 10 students
Rank: n/an/a
Abernathy Daep
Alternative School
1200 Houston
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4940
Abernathy, TX 79311
(806) 298-4940
Gr: 8-12 | 5 students Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
800 Ennis St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6000
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6000
Gr: PK-4 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Hale Co J J A E P
Alternative School
103 W Cleveland
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2451
Hale Center, TX 79041
(806) 839-2451
Gr: 12 | 1 student
Rank: n/an/a
3300 Lexington St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6000
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6000
Gr: PK-4 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
2501 Joliet St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6020
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6020
Gr: 5-6 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
2200 W 20th St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6015
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6015
Gr: 7-8 | 689 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
605 S Garland St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6000
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6000
Gr: PK-4 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Hale County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
908 Ash St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6025
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6025
Gr: 6 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Ash High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
908 Ash St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6010
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6010
Gr: 9-12 | 83 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
707 Canyon St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6035
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6035
Gr: PK-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
2501 Joliet St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6020
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6020
Gr: 7-9 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
2500 West 20th St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6015
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6015
Gr: 8-9 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Hale County Jjaep High School (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
122 E 6th St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 628-6271
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 628-6271
Gr: 7-12
1800 Joliet St
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6030
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 293-6030
Gr: 5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Petersburg Daep Elementary School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1200 Houston St
Petersburg, TX 79250
(806) 291-5321
Petersburg, TX 79250
(806) 291-5321
Gr: 9 | 1 student
Slaton Daep High School (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
1200 Houston
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 828-6591
Plainview, TX 79072
(806) 828-6591
Gr: 7-10 | 4 students Minority enrollment: 75%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Hale County, TX?
The top ranked public schools in Hale County, TX include Abernathy Middle School, La Mesa Elementary School and Cotton Center School.
How many public schools are located in Hale County?
24 public schools are located in Hale County.
What percentage of students in Hale County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Hale County are educated in public schools (compared to the TX state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hale County?
Hale County public schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Hale County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Hale County include: La Mesa Elementary School vs. Hillcrest Elementary School, La Mesa Elementary School vs. Highland Elementary School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
