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Needs Improvement

#8215 of 8,552 schools in TX

Alta Vista EL

Elementary School · WACO ISD

3637 ALTA VISTA DR, Waco, TX 76706

Charter

Enrollment

528

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

3.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#8,215 of 8,552

In Waco

#41 of 46

public schools

In district

#20 of 23

WACO ISD

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Alta Vista EL

3.2/10

Elementary School in Waco · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

University H S

5.6/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

South Waco EL

3.2/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alta Vista EL

Alta Vista EL is a public elementary school in Waco, TX, part of WACO ISD. Alta Vista EL serves approximately 528 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Alta Vista EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #8,215 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Alta Vista EL show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Alta Vista EL is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-30.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.3 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,294
Chronic Absenteeism16.5%

Alta Vista EL — Students at Alta Vista EL score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 48.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
12.3%
ELA
24.5%
2024
Math
13%
ELA
22%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Alta Vista EL Compares

See how Alta Vista EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
4th percentile in TX
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3637 ALTA VISTA DR, Waco, TX 76706

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alta Vista EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ROBINSON EL (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Robinson), which scores notably higher. Another option is WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
UNIVERSITY H S Waco 0.6 mi 5.6
SOUTH WACO EL Waco 1.1 mi 3.2
HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - WACO Beverly Hills 1.2 mi 5.7
BELL'S HILL EL Waco 1.7 mi 5.6
CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Waco 2.2 mi 5.2
SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO Waco 2.3 mi 6.7
ROBINSON EL Robinson 2.4 mi 7.9
WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco 2.4 mi 7.4
ROBINSON PRI Robinson 2.5 mi 6.2
LIVE OAK CLASSICAL SCHOOL Waco 3.0 mi 7.3
VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Waco 2.7 mi 6.2
PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco 3.0 mi 4.9
ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Waco 3.2 mi 6.9
WEST AVENUE EL Waco 3.2 mi 3.9
CRESTVIEW EL Waco 2.9 mi 4.5
ROBINSON J H Robinson 3.4 mi 8.5
KENDRICK EL Waco 3.5 mi 3.3
ROBINSON H S Robinson 3.6 mi 7.6
ROBINSON INT Robinson 3.6 mi 7.8
DEAN HIGHLAND EL Waco 3.5 mi 2.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 76706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,277

Median Home Value

$180,600

Median Rent

$1,063/mo

Population

40,668

College Educated

22.6%

Homeownership

38.9%

Avg Commute

17.3 min

Poverty Rate

32.4%

Median Age

23.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AUDRE AND BERNARD RAPOPORT ACADEMY Waco, TX 3.2
BERTRAM EL Bertram, TX 3.2
BOWIE EL San Marcos, TX 3.2
BRADFORD EL San Angelo, TX 3.2
CANALES EL Brownsville, TX 3.2
CROCKETT EL El Paso, TX 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alta Vista EL

What grades does Alta Vista EL serve?

Alta Vista EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Alta Vista EL?

Alta Vista EL has an enrollment of approximately 528 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta Vista EL?

The student-teacher ratio at Alta Vista EL is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alta Vista EL rank in TX?

Alta Vista EL ranks #8,215 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Alta Vista EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Alta Vista EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Alta Vista EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alta Vista EL has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Alta Vista EL a charter school?

Yes, Alta Vista EL is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Alta Vista EL a Title I school?

No, Alta Vista EL is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alta Vista EL?

93.2% of students at Alta Vista EL 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

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
528
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
McLennan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

District

WACO ISD
District Enrollment
13,517
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,294
District Rank
#20 of 23

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