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Average

#450 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 35% in state

Waco Elementary School

Elementary School · Madison County

359 Waco Loop, Waco, KY 40385

Enrollment

422

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky elementary schools

#280 of 708

In district

#10 of 18

Madison County

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Waco Elementary School

Waco Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Waco, Kentucky, serving the community with a warm and supportive learning environment. The school enrolls 422 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, ensuring that each child receives ample attention and support. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, Waco Elementary School aims to provide a solid educational foundation for its young learners.

The school's academic performance reflects areas where growth is needed; the MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.4 out of 10, placing it in the 52nd percentile among Kentucky schools. The state ranking is #623 out of 1288 schools, and the Academic Score is 5.6/10. In reading and math proficiency tests, 45% and 30% of students are proficient or above, respectively, indicating a focus on continuous improvement and support for student development.

Waco Elementary School is situated in a rural area, fostering a close-knit community where teachers and families work together to ensure the best possible education for every child.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Waco Elementary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,762

Waco Elementary School — Students at Waco Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
38%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
50%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Waco Elementary School Compares

See how Waco Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
65th percentile in KY
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

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 8.2/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Another option is White Hall Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores slightly 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 6.6
LAFONTAINE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Richmond 7.6 mi 7.1
Kingston Elementary School Berea 8.5 mi 6.1
Estill County Middle School Irvine 7.9 mi 3.0
Estill County High School Irvine 8.0 mi 6.4
Madison Kindergarten Academy Richmond 8.2 mi 6.6
West Irvine Elementary Irvine 8.5 mi 5.8
Madison Central High School Richmond 8.6 mi 7.5
Daniel Boone Elementary School Richmond 8.7 mi 7.1
B. Michael Caudill Middle School Richmond 8.9 mi 6.5
Madison Middle School Richmond 8.8 mi 6.4
Estill County Success Academy Irvine 9.0 mi 5.3
Glenn R Marshall Elementary School Richmond 9.0 mi 8.2
Estill Springs Elementary Irvine 9.0 mi 6.3
Madison County Day Treatment Richmond 9.1 mi
Bellevue Transitional School Richmond 9.1 mi
South Irvine Early Learning Center Irvine 9.4 mi 7.1
ST MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Richmond 9.2 mi 7.4
Kit Carson Elementary School Richmond 9.8 mi 7.1
White Hall Elementary School Richmond 10.6 mi 7.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waco Elementary School has a median household income of $58,092. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,000, with a median rent of $675/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Atkinson Academy Louisville, KY 6.8
Bend Gate Elementary School Henderson, KY 6.8
Boonesborough Elementary Richmond, KY 6.8
Caverna Elementary School Cave City, KY 6.8
Cumberland County Elementary School Burkesville, KY 6.8
Dunn Elementary Louisville, KY 6.8

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 is ranked #450 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Waco Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waco Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waco Elementary School has 30.0% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (171/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Madison County
District Enrollment
11,241
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,260
District Rank
#10 of 18

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 methodology

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