title: Palestine Independent School District
text: # Palestine Independent School District
  
  Palestine Independent School District is a public school district based in Palestine, Texas (USA) that serves approximately 3,500 students in central Anderson County.
  
  In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.
  
  ## Schools
  
  * Palestine High School (Grades 9–12)
  * Palestine Junior High (Grades 7–8)
  * A. M. Story Elementary School (Grades 4-6)
  * Southside Elementary School (Grades 2-3)
  * Northside Primary School (Grades K-1)
  * Washington Early Childhood Center (EE, PK)
  
  ## Students
  
  ### Ethnicity
  
  Students during the 2006–2007 school year:
  
  * Total: 3,405 (100.0%)
  * White: 1,311 (38.5%)
  * Hispanic: 1,062 (31.2%)
  * African American: 996 (29.3%)
  * Asian/Pacific Islander: 30 (0.9%)
  * Native American: 6 (0.2%)
  
  ### Grade level
  
  Students during the 2006–2007 school year:
  
  * Early Childhood Education and Pre-Kindergarten: 181 (5.3%)
  * Elementary (K-5): 1,579 (46.4%)
  * Middle School (6–8): 720 (21.1%)
  * High School (9–12): 925 (27.2%)
  * Class of 2006 Graduates: 187
  
  ### Other statistics
  
  * Economically Disadvantaged (2006–2007): 65.1% (2,217)
  * Annual Dropout Rate, Grades 7–12 (2005–2006): 3.1%
  * Average SAT Score (Class of 2006): 1013
  * Average ACT Score (Class of 2006): 21.2
  
  ## Leadership
  
  Palestine ISD is led by a superintendent chosen by the Board of Trustees. The board named Dr. Thomas A. Wallis, former principal of Mabank High School, as superintendent beginning in the 2008–2009 school year.
  
  Board of Trustees
  
  * Mr. Michael Bennett, President
  * Mr. Ricky Ferguson, Vice President
  * Rev. Wade Hobbs, Secretary
  * Mr. Chuck Grissaffi
  * Ms. Dana Staples
  * Ms. Janie Sepulveda
  * Ms. Dyna Tutt
  