Public school systems play a crucial role in shaping local economies, influencing everything from property values to workforce development. The economic impact of local public schools extends far beyond education, affecting businesses, government budgets, and community well-being. Below are key ways in which public schools contribute to local economic health.
- Boosting Property Values and Municipal Revenue
A strong public school system increases demand for housing in the district, driving up property values. Studies consistently show that homes in high-performing school districts command higher prices than comparable homes in weaker districts. Higher property values, in turn, generate more property tax revenue for local governments, which can be reinvested in infrastructure, public safety, and other community services.
Additionally, businesses are more likely to establish themselves in areas with well-regarded schools, knowing that educated communities attract skilled workers and stable families. This creates a positive feedback loop where better schools lead to economic growth, which then further supports school funding.
- Workforce Development and Economic Competitiveness
Public schools are the primary source of skilled labor for local industries. By providing foundational education, vocational training, and college preparation, schools ensure that businesses have access to qualified employees. Areas with strong school systems tend to have lower unemployment rates and higher average incomes because educated workers are more productive and adaptable to changing job markets.
Investments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, career and technical education (CTE), and partnerships with local businesses further enhance workforce readiness. Companies often consider school quality when deciding where to locate, as they need a pipeline of talent to sustain operations.
- Direct Employment and Local Spending
Public schools are among the largest employers in many communities, providing jobs for teachers, administrators, custodians, and support staff. These employees spend their salaries locally, supporting restaurants, retail stores, and service providers. The multiplier effect means that every dollar spent on school payroll circulates through the economy multiple times, stimulating additional business activity.
Beyond salaries, schools also contribute to local economies through construction projects (e.g., building new facilities or renovating old ones), purchasing supplies from area vendors, and contracting services like transportation and food supply. These expenditures create jobs and generate tax revenue.
- Reducing Long-Term Public Costs
Quality education correlates with lower crime rates, reduced reliance on social welfare programs, and better public health outcomes. Students who graduate from strong school systems are less likely to require government assistance, engage in criminal activity, or face chronic unemployment. This reduces the burden on taxpayers, who would otherwise fund prisons, healthcare for the uninsured, and social services.
Early childhood education programs, in particular, have been shown to yield high long-term returns by improving graduation rates and future earnings while decreasing incarceration costs.
- Attracting and Retaining Families and Businesses
Families with children prioritize school quality when choosing where to live. Communities with reputable schools experience population growth, which sustains local businesses and services. Conversely, declining school performance can lead to outmigration, shrinking the tax base and harming economic vitality.
Similarly, corporations evaluating relocation opportunities assess school systems to ensure employees will have access to good education for their children. A weak school system can deter investment, while a strong one can attract high-paying jobs and stimulate economic diversification.
Conclusion
The local public school system is not just an educational institution but a cornerstone of economic stability and growth. By enhancing property values, developing a skilled workforce, employing residents, reducing public costs, and attracting businesses, schools create a thriving economic ecosystem. Policymakers and community leaders must recognize that investing in education yields broad economic benefits, making it one of the most impactful ways to ensure long-term prosperity.
The following report contains those school districts that are completely or partially within the county. The school districts are sorted in a left to right order based on the number of students that are estimated to live in the county, although they may actually attend a school outside the county boundary. Except where noted all figures are for the entire disctrict population and not just that portion that are in the county.
Where available, the district's name contains a link to that district's website.
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Anthony Independent School District |
Tornillo Independent School District |
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Fabens Independent School District |
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San Elizario Independent School District |
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Canutillo Independent School District |
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Clint Independent School District |
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Ysleta Independent School District |
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Socorro Independent School District |
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El Paso Independent School District |
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Grade Span of Agency Number of Schools Total Classroom Teachers Student/Teachers
Prekindergarten Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 PK thru 12 Students Ungraded Students Adult Education and Other Students Special Ed IEP Students Total Students
White Black Asian Hispanic Native American Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Undefined or Multiple Races
Prekindergarten Teachers Kindergarten Teachers Elementary Teachers Secondary Teachers Ungraded Class Teachers Total FTE Teachers
Elementary School Counselors Secondary School Counselors School Counselors Total Counselors
School Administrators School Administrative Support Staff Instr. Coord. and Super. to Staff Student Support Services Staff Librarians/media specialists Library/Media Support Staff School Psychologists Paraprofessionals/Instructional Aides Total School Staff
LEA Administrators LEA Administrative Support Staff Total LEA Staff
All Other Support Staff Total Other Staff
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PK-12
75
3,359
14.77
2,947
2,947
3,188
3,299
3,169
3,250
3,346
3,283
3,293
3,382
4,695
4,404
4,221
3,715
49,139
0
0
459
49,598
4,184
1,678
669
41,333
99
193
983
181
167
1,416
1,558
37
3,359
0
0
151
151
518
354
32
336
64
20
18
459
1,769
88
234
353
1,629
1,629 |
PK-12
51
2,191
21.85
3,070
2,659
2,866
3,016
3,146
3,196
3,203
3,328
3,416
3,468
4,457
4,080
3,846
3,553
47,304
0
0
563
47,867
2,135
922
204
43,424
75
97
447
111
117
804
1,067
92
2,191
0
0
135
135
180
244
13
234
39
1
4
563
1,264
92
162
267
1,516
1,516 |
PK-12
49
2,394
14.82
1,700
2,064
2,188
2,328
2,365
2,256
2,367
2,534
2,532
2,679
3,369
2,966
2,827
2,743
34,918
0
0
565
35,483
932
307
76
33,468
35
30
70
117
159
907
1,201
10
2,394
0
0
99
99
235
243
44
287
45
3
8
565
1,385
15
184
243
1,755
1,755 |
PK-12
14
705
14.80
480
580
618
682
735
717
736
756
748
796
920
908
834
750
10,260
0
0
176
10,436
346
39
9
9,785
29
4
48
12
48
282
346
17
705
0
0
34
34
85
76
38
59
10
0
0
176
405
5
49
92
427
427 |
PK-12
10
418
14.37
269
351
370
417
427
391
488
402
438
439
493
514
457
448
5,904
0
0
102
6,006
280
55
37
5,460
9
3
60
15
20
115
187
81
418
0
0
15
15
18
37
7
43
8
0
2
102
210
12
53
72
244
244 |
PK-12
6
165
18.56
171
188
202
213
206
201
194
198
201
217
322
252
237
207
3,009
0
0
53
3,062
18
4
0
2,985
1
0
1
9
8
57
80
11
165
0
0
10
10
12
17
4
21
3
3
1
53
109
9
17
30
177
177 |
PK-12
4
151
12.92
51
130
131
145
142
135
136
119
144
152
175
185
138
125
1,908
0
0
43
1,951
6
0
0
1,901
0
1
0
4
7
61
77
2
151
0
0
9
9
10
13
4
10
3
0
0
43
78
3
16
23
102
102 |
PK-12
3
61
12.75
23
54
43
51
56
50
42
57
56
47
68
69
73
73
762
0
0
16
778
1
0
0
761
0
0
0
1
4
21
30
5
61
0
0
2
2
8
6
0
3
1
1
0
16
36
5
9
14
51
51 |
PK-12
3
56
13.46
50
33
41
42
47
57
52
62
56
65
66
71
54
56
752
0
0
2
754
17
1
1
728
0
0
5
2
2
21
30
1
56
0
0
2
2
5
6
0
5
1
2
0
2
20
3
8
11
54
54 |
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
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