Average
#540 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 42% in state
Waco High School
High School · WACO Comm School District
PO BOX 158 706 N Pearl, Wayland, IA 52654
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa high schools
#103 of 334
In district
#1 of 2
WACO Comm School District
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Waco High School
WACO High School in Wayland, Iowa, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. As a regular public school with an enrollment of 244 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, WACO High offers personalized attention to its diverse group of learners. The school has 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and social needs of each student.
WACO High School’s academic performance shows it is focusing on areas for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and state ranking at #714 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (45th percentile). The school's proficiency rates are 67% in ELA/Reading, 65% in Math, and 74% in Science, indicating that there is room for growth and development. Located in a rural area, WACO High School benefits from a close-knit community setting where students can participate in various extracurricular activities and build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Waco High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Waco High School — Students at Waco High School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.
How Waco High School Compares
See how Waco High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 158 706 N Pearl, Wayland, IA 52654
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waco High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Columbus Community High School (rated 8.1/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Columbus Junction), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland High School (rated 6.4/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Riverside), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mount Pleasant High School (rated 5.5/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wayland, see our Wayland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WACO Elementary School Crawfordsville | 7.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Washington High School Washington | 9.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Lincoln Upper Elementary School Washington | 9.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Washington Middle School Washington | 10.0 mi | 7.1 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Washington | 10.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Stewart Elementary School Washington | 10.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Harlan Elementary School Mount Pleasant | 13.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Mount Pleasant Middle School Mount Pleasant | 13.9 mi | 7.2 |
| WisdomQuest Education Center Mount Pleasant | 14.2 mi | — |
| Van Allen Elementary School Mount Pleasant | 14.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Winfield Elementary School Winfield | 11.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Winfield-Mt Union Jr-Sr High School Winfield | 11.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Mount Pleasant | 14.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Mount Pleasant High School Mount Pleasant | 15.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Highland High School Riverside | 18.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Highland Middle School Riverside | 18.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant | 20.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Roundy Elementary School Columbus Junction | 17.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction | 17.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Columbus Community Junior High School Columbus Junction | 17.2 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52654 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,667
Median Home Value
$140,400
Median Rent
$808/mo
Population
1,886
College Educated
23.7%
Homeownership
79.8%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waco High School has a median household income of $81,667. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,400, with a median rent of $808/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Union Middle-High School Afton, IA | 6.7 |
| Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden, IA | 6.7 |
| Nashua-Plainfield Junior-Senior High School Nashua, IA | 6.7 |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood, IA | 6.7 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon, IA | 6.8 |
| Central Decatur MS/HS High School Leon, IA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waco High School
What grades does Waco High School serve?
Waco High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Waco High School?
Waco High School has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waco High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waco High School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waco High School rank in IA?
Waco High School is ranked #540 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Waco High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waco High School has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Waco High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waco High School has 64.6% math proficiency and 67.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waco High School a charter school?
No, Waco High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waco High School a Title I school?
No, Waco High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waco High School?
42.2% of students at Waco High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (158/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Henry County
- Phone
- (319) 256-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WACO Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 532
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,226
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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