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Average

#3183 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 37% in state

Challenge Academy

High School · WACO ISD

2015 ALEXANDER AVE, Waco, TX 76708

Enrollment

30

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

6.9

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waco

#10 of 46

public schools

Texas high schools

#766 of 1,699

In district

#1 of 23

WACO ISD

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Challenge Academy

Challenge Academy serves 30 students in grades 8-12 as an alternative high school in Waco, Texas. With just 3 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low 10:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for highly individualized attention and support that many students in alternative settings need to succeed. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #1466 out of 8598 Texas schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.

This strong performance suggests that Challenge Academy is effectively serving its unique student population, many of whom may have faced challenges in traditional school environments. As an alternative school, Challenge Academy likely provides specialized programming and flexible approaches to help students who need different pathways to graduation. The small enrollment allows staff to develop close relationships with students and tailor instruction to individual needs and circumstances.

The school is located on Alexander Avenue in a mid-size city neighborhood where the median household income is $64,618 and median home value is $182,400. With 25% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees and a 15.7% poverty rate, the surrounding community of 26,917 people represents a mix of educational backgrounds and economic circumstances.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 30 students, Challenge Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics5.4Average33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness6.6Above Average40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,294

Challenge Academy — Students at Challenge Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

How Challenge Academy Compares

See how Challenge Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in TX
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

2015 ALEXANDER AVE, Waco, TX 76708

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenge Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WACO CTR FOR YOUTH (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Axtell), with a very similar rating. Another option is METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BRAZOS H S (rated 5.7/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco 0.0 mi
CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco 0.0 mi
MCLENNAN COUNTY CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco 0.0 mi
CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco 0.0 mi
ST LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waco 0.5 mi 6.0
REICHER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waco 0.6 mi 6.7
WACO CTR FOR YOUTH Axtell 0.8 mi 6.9
METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME Waco 0.7 mi 6.2
BRAZOS H S Waco 0.9 mi 5.7
CEDAR RIDGE EL Waco 1.0 mi 6.2
BROOK AVENUE EL Waco 1.0 mi 4.9
DEAN HIGHLAND EL Waco 1.3 mi 5.7
PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco 1.3 mi 4.8
WEST AVENUE EL Waco 1.3 mi 6.5
PREMIER H S OF WACO Lewisville 1.7 mi 4.1
HILLCREST PDS MAGNET Waco 1.8 mi 6.1
WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco 1.9 mi 7.4
WACO H S Waco 2.1 mi 5.5
SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO Waco 2.1 mi 6.7
LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco 2.1 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 76708 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,764

Median Home Value

$204,600

Median Rent

$1,087/mo

Population

27,679

College Educated

24.7%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Challenge Academy has a median household income of $66,764. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,600, with a median rent of $1,087/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
FLORESVILLE ALTER CTR Floresville, TX 6.9
JUVENILE DETENT CTR Richmond, TX 6.9
HAC DAEP H S San Antonio, TX 7.0
LAUREL RIDGE San Antonio, TX 7.0
NEW HORIZON H S Joshua, TX 6.8
TEXAS TORAH INSTITUTE Dallas, TX 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenge Academy

What grades does Challenge Academy serve?

Challenge Academy serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Challenge Academy?

Challenge Academy has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenge Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Challenge Academy is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenge Academy rank in TX?

Challenge Academy is ranked #3183 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Challenge Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenge Academy has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Challenge Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenge Academy has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Challenge Academy a charter school?

No, Challenge Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Challenge Academy a Title I school?

No, Challenge Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenge Academy?

90.0% of students at Challenge Academy 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

City Safety
High (2,558/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waco). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
McLennan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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