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
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
6.9
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
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Challenge Academy — Students at Challenge Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2018-19)
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.
Funding & Resources
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (254) 754-0803
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WACO ISD- District Enrollment
- 13,517
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,294
- District Rank
- #1 of 23
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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