Culture Over Cut Score: Exploring Familia and Student Success in a Rural South Texas School

Abstract

Minimal research has been conducted regarding success factors of high school students in rural districts. Through archival data retrieval, student interviews, and observations, this mixed methods study sought to identify success factors of juniors and seniors enrolled at one rural public school in South Texas. The impact of support systems, the campus environment, and the “familia” phenomenon were discovered. The findings could inform districts of comparable size, composition, and classification in achieving increased student success.

Keywords:

• Rural
• community
• self-efficacy
• familial influence
• persistence

Acknowledgments

We thank the San Perlita Independent School District for their participation in this study.

Ethics Statement

This study complied with all ethics approvals issued by: IRB Approval Numbers: 2023-017/12592 and 2023-016/12956 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Angela M. Bingham Research Compliance Coordinator Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Texas A&M University—Kingsville College Hall Room 154 Office [phone] [email protected]

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).