Average
#572 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 45% 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
6.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#572 of 1,280
In district
#1 of 2
WACO Comm School District
School environment
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Waco High School
High School in Wayland · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Waco Elementary School
7.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Washington High School
9.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waco High School
Waco High School is a public high school in Wayland, IA, part of WACO Comm School District. Waco High School serves approximately 244 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Waco High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #572 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Waco High School show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Waco High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Waco High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Waco High School — Students at Waco High School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
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 40 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: 6.5/10.
How Waco High School Compares
See how Waco High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Highland High School (rated 8.1/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Riverside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbus Community High School (rated 6.5/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Columbus Junction), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Winfield-Mt Union Jr-Sr High School (rated 5.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Winfield), 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 | 4.5 |
| Washington High School Washington | 9.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Lincoln Upper Elementary School Washington | 9.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Washington Middle School Washington | 10.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Washington | 10.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Stewart Elementary School Washington | 10.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Harlan Elementary School Mount Pleasant | 13.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Mount Pleasant Middle School Mount Pleasant | 13.9 mi | 7.0 |
| WisdomQuest Education Center Mount Pleasant | 14.2 mi | — |
| Van Allen Elementary School Mount Pleasant | 14.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Winfield Elementary School Winfield | 11.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Winfield-Mt Union Jr-Sr High School Winfield | 11.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Mount Pleasant | 14.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Mount Pleasant High School Mount Pleasant | 15.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Highland High School Riverside | 18.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Highland Middle School Riverside | 18.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant | 20.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Roundy Elementary School Columbus Junction | 17.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction | 17.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Columbus Community Junior High School Columbus Junction | 17.2 mi | 6.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA | 6.8 |
| Alta-Aurelia High School Alta, IA | 6.8 |
| Logan-Magnolia Jr-Sr High School Logan, IA | 6.8 |
| MFL MarMac High School Monona, IA | 6.8 |
| New Hampton High School New Hampton, IA | 6.8 |
| ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn, IA | 6.7 |
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 ranks #572 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Waco High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waco High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Waco High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waco High School has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.5%
- Phone
- (319) 256-6200
- 4-Year Graduation
- 80%+
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
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