Best Schools in Waxahachie, Texas

Waxahachie's public school system spans 16 ranked schools, and the performance data leans strong. The city averages 7.0 out of 10 across all ranked schools, and 10 of those 16 — 62% — score 7 or higher. That concentration of above-average schools gives parents meaningful options across multiple grade levels and attendance zones, rather than a handful of outliers pulling up a weaker overall field.

The elementary tier anchors Waxahachie's performance story. Wilemon STEAM Academy leads the city at 9.2 out of 10 — the highest score among all 16 ranked schools. Dunaway Elementary follows at 8.9, and Northside Elementary earns an 8.3. Shackelford Elementary and Clift Elementary each post a 7.7, placing them solidly in the above-average range as well. Five elementary schools at 7.7 or higher gives families with younger children a notably strong set of options at the K–5 level.

Wilemon's STEAM designation warrants a closer look for parents interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math programming at the elementary level. A 9.2 score paired with a specialty curriculum signals strong academic execution across the board. Dunaway's 8.9 shows it delivers comparable outcomes without the specialty label — useful context when comparing zone assignments across the district, particularly for families who prioritize consistent performance over a specific program type.

With 62% of Waxahachie's ranked schools clearing the 7-point mark, a typical zone assignment here carries lower downside risk than in districts where strong performance clusters in just one or two schools. Families who land outside the top-five elementaries are still likely in a school with a solid track record. Before finalizing a home, verify current attendance boundaries directly with Waxahachie ISD — rezoning can shift assignments between enrollment cycles, and publicly available zone maps often lag official records.