Below Average
#1127 of 1,284 schools in KY
Waco Elementary School
Elementary School · Madison County
359 Waco Loop, Waco, KY 40385
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#1,127 of 1,284
In district
#18 of 18
Madison County
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Waco Elementary School
Elementary School in Waco · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Clark Moores Middle School
7.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lafontaine Preparatory School
7.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waco Elementary School
Waco Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waco, KY, part of Madison County. Waco Elementary School serves approximately 422 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Waco Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,127 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Waco Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 6.5
- KY avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Waco Elementary 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.
30% of students at Waco Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Waco Elementary School — Students at Waco Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Waco Elementary School Compares
See how Waco Elementary 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
359 Waco Loop, Waco, KY 40385
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waco Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glenn R Marshall Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAFONTAINE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Moores Middle School Richmond | 7.5 mi | 7.3 |
| LAFONTAINE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Richmond | 7.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Kingston Elementary School Berea | 8.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Estill County Middle School Irvine | 7.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Estill County High School Irvine | 8.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Madison Kindergarten Academy Richmond | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| West Irvine Elementary Irvine | 8.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Madison Central High School Richmond | 8.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Daniel Boone Elementary School Richmond | 8.7 mi | 6.4 |
| B. Michael Caudill Middle School Richmond | 8.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Madison Middle School Richmond | 8.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Estill County Success Academy Irvine | 9.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Glenn R Marshall Elementary School Richmond | 9.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Estill Springs Elementary Irvine | 9.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Madison County Day Treatment Richmond | 9.1 mi | — |
| Bellevue Transitional School Richmond | 9.1 mi | — |
| South Irvine Early Learning Center Irvine | 9.4 mi | 5.2 |
| ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Richmond | 9.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Kit Carson Elementary School Richmond | 9.8 mi | 5.3 |
| White Hall Elementary School Richmond | 10.6 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40385 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,092
Median Home Value
$176,000
Median Rent
$675/mo
Population
2,378
College Educated
19.6%
Homeownership
80.5%
Poverty Rate
12%
Median Age
40.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alex R. Kennedy Elementary Louisville, KY | 4.2 |
| Bonnieville Elementary School Bonnieville, KY | 4.2 |
| Cane Ridge Elementary School Paris, KY | 4.2 |
| Cravens Elementary School Owensboro, KY | 4.2 |
| Jacob Elementary Louisville, KY | 4.2 |
| Lee County Elementary School Beattyville, KY | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waco Elementary School
What grades does Waco Elementary School serve?
Waco Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Waco Elementary School?
Waco Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waco Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waco Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waco Elementary School rank in KY?
Waco Elementary School ranks #1,127 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Waco Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waco Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waco Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Waco Elementary School a charter school?
No, Waco Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waco Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Waco Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waco Elementary School?
58.8% of students at Waco Elementary 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 422
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Madison County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.3%
- Phone
- (859) 387-3600
Resources & Links
District
Madison County- District Enrollment
- 11,241
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,260
- District Rank
- #18 of 18
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