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 5 public high schools serving 3,721 students in Waco Independent School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Texas.
Public High Schools in Waco Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Texas public high school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Public High School in Waco Independent School District have a Graduation Rate of 80%, which is less than the Texas average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is University High School, with 87% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Texas or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public high school average of 74% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (TX)
# Schools
23 Schools
2,552 Schools
# Students
13,487 Students
1,864,677 Students
# Teachers
967 Teachers
125,506 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
6,249 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
36 Students
95,920 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
5%
# Hispanic Students
8,333 Students
992,082 Students
% Hispanic Students
62%
53%
# Black Students
3,685 Students
234,075 Students
% Black Students
27%
13%
# White Students
1,052 Students
483,077 Students
% White Students
8%
26%
# Hawaiian Students
6 Students
2,934 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
351 Students
50,340 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
3%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
884
6,571
# Students in K Grade:
1,007
9,336
# Students in 1st Grade:
1,017
10,076
# Students in 2nd Grade:
1,048
10,215
# Students in 3rd Grade:
1,085
10,512
# Students in 4th Grade:
1,049
10,681
# Students in 5th Grade:
986
11,658
# Students in 6th Grade:
940
32,105
# Students in 7th Grade:
898
38,290
# Students in 8th Grade:
894
40,744
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,222
472,263
# Students in 10th Grade:
987
438,622
# Students in 11th Grade:
825
406,207
# Students in 12th Grade:
645
367,397
# 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 High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bill Logue Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Gholson Rd
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 754-0803
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 754-0803
Grades: 7-12
| 16 students
Rank: #22.
University High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3201 S New Rd
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 756-1843
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 756-1843
Grades: 9-12
| 1,750 students
Rank: #33.
Waco High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2020 N 42nd St
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 776-1150
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 776-1150
Grades: 9-12
| 1,778 students
Rank: #44.
Brazos High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3005 Edna Ave
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 754-9422
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 754-9422
Grades: 9-12
| 100 students
Rank: #55.
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.
