Top Rankings
Waco Independent School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Texas for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 19 public elementary schools serving 9,843 students in Waco Independent School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Texas.
Public Elementary Schools in Waco Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the Texas public elementary school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public elementary school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (TX)
# Schools
23 Schools
6,902 Schools
# Students
13,487 Students
3,737,053 Students
# Teachers
967 Teachers
255,471 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
District Rank
Waco Independent School District, which is ranked #1083 of all 1,196 school districts in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 75% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1111 out of 1204 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
46%
Graduation Rate
80%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.54
0.64
# American Indian Students
24 Students
11,705 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
36 Students
203,767 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
6%
# Hispanic Students
8,333 Students
1,997,454 Students
% Hispanic Students
62%
53%
# Black Students
3,685 Students
469,194 Students
% Black Students
27%
13%
# White Students
1,052 Students
924,841 Students
% White Students
8%
25%
# Hawaiian Students
6 Students
5,879 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
351 Students
124,213 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
3%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
884
222,501
# Students in K Grade:
1,007
346,866
# Students in 1st Grade:
1,017
385,427
# Students in 2nd Grade:
1,048
402,148
# Students in 3rd Grade:
1,085
399,623
# Students in 4th Grade:
1,049
398,690
# Students in 5th Grade:
986
399,071
# Students in 6th Grade:
940
402,143
# Students in 7th Grade:
898
335,034
# Students in 8th Grade:
894
339,814
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,222
32,833
# Students in 10th Grade:
987
28,116
# Students in 11th Grade:
825
23,862
# Students in 12th Grade:
645
20,925
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,303 is higher than the state median of $13,387. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,476 is higher than the state median of $14,116. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$206 MM
$74,029 MM
Spending
$195 MM
$78,063 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,303
$13,387
Spending / Student
$14,476
$14,116
Best Waco Independent School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bell's Hill Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2100 Ross
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 754-4171
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 754-4171
Grades: PK-5
| 781 students
Rank: #22.
Hillcrest Pds Magnet
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4225 Pine Ave
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-4286
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-4286
Grades: PK-5
| 433 students
Rank: #33.
Lake Air Montessori School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4601 Cobbs Dr
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-1910
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-1910
Grades: PK-8
| 711 students
Rank: #44.
Tennyson Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6100 Tennyson Dr
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-1440
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-1440
Grades: 6-8
| 947 students
Rank: #55.
Mountainview Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5901 Bishop St
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-2520
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-2520
Grades: PK-5
| 349 students
Rank: #66.
Crestview Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1120 N New Rd
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 776-1704
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 776-1704
Grades: PK-5
| 473 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Kendrick Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
500 N University Parks Dr
Waco, TX 76701
(254) 752-3316
Waco, TX 76701
(254) 752-3316
Grades: PK-5
| 469 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Parkdale Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6400 Edmond
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-2170
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 772-2170
Grades: PK-5
| 520 students
Rank: #99.
Cedar Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2115 Meridian Ave
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 756-1241
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 756-1241
Grades: PK-5
| 450 students
Rank: #1010.
Dean Highland Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3300 Maple
Waco, TX 76707
(254) 752-3751
Waco, TX 76707
(254) 752-3751
Grades: PK-5
| 597 students
Rank: #1111.
Cesar Chavez Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
700 S 15th St
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 750-3736
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 750-3736
Grades: 6-8
| 813 students
Rank: #1212.
West Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1101 N 15th St
Waco, TX 76707
(254) 750-3900
Waco, TX 76707
(254) 750-3900
Grades: PK-5
| 276 students
Rank: #1313.
G W Carver Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1601 J J Flewellen Rd
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 754-5491
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 754-5491
Grades: 6-8
| 776 students
Rank: #1414.
Provident Heights Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2415 Bosque Blvd
Waco, TX 76707
(254) 750-3930
Waco, TX 76707
(254) 750-3930
Grades: PK-5
| 398 students
Rank: #1515.
Alta Vista Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3637 Alta Vista Dr
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 662-3050
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 662-3050
Grades: PK-5
| 528 students
Rank: #1616.
Brook Avenue Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
720 Brook Ave
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 750-3562
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 750-3562
Grades: PK-5
| 373 students
Rank: #1717.
South Waco Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2104 Gurley Ln
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 753-6802
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 753-6802
Grades: PK-5
| 477 students
Rank: #1818.
J H Hines Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
301 Garrison St
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 753-1362
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 753-1362
Grades: PK-5
| 395 students
Rank: #1919.
G L Wiley Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1030 E Live Oak St
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 757-3829
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 757-3829
Grades: 1-12
| 77 students
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
