Average
#5734 of 8,552 schools in TX
Challenge Academy
High School · WACO ISD
2015 ALEXANDER AVE, Waco, TX 76708
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
5.5
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
5.5
Grades
8th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#5,734 of 8,552
In Waco
#18 of 46
public schools
In district
#7 of 23
WACO ISD
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Challenge Academy
High School in Waco · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mclennan County Challenge Academy
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Louis Catholic School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Challenge Academy
Challenge Academy is a public high school in Waco, TX, part of WACO ISD. Challenge Academy serves approximately 30 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenge Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #5,734 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Challenge Academy show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 5.0
- TX avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 30 students, Challenge Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Challenge Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Challenge Academy — Students at Challenge Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Challenge Academy Compares
See how Challenge Academy 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
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 5.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Axtell), with a very similar rating. Another option is WACO H S (rated 4.9/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME (rated 4.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.4 |
| METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME Waco | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| BRAZOS H S Waco | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| CEDAR RIDGE EL Waco | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| BROOK AVENUE EL Waco | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| DEAN HIGHLAND EL Waco | 1.3 mi | 2.4 |
| PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| WEST AVENUE EL Waco | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| PREMIER H S OF WACO Lewisville | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| HILLCREST PDS MAGNET Waco | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| WACO H S Waco | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO Waco | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MIRUS ACADEMY Katy, TX | 5.5 |
| MULLIN OAKS Mullin, TX | 5.5 |
| DAEP Eagle Pass, TX | 5.6 |
| HAC DAEP H S San Antonio, TX | 5.4 |
| NORTH PLAINS OPPORTUNITY CENTER Dumas, TX | 5.4 |
| TEAGUE LION ACADEMY Teague, TX | 5.6 |
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 ranks #5,734 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Challenge Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenge Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Challenge Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenge Academy has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
Resources & Links
District
WACO ISD- District Enrollment
- 13,517
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,294
- District Rank
- #7 of 23
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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