Average
#5510 of 8,547 schools in TX
Dean Highland EL
Elementary School · WACO ISD
3300 MAPLE, Waco, TX 76707
Enrollment
597
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
597
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waco
#30 of 46
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#2,712 of 4,678
In district
#13 of 23
WACO ISD
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Dean Highland EL
DEAN HIGHLAND EL is a regular public elementary school located in Waco, Texas. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 597 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1. DEAN HIGHLAND EL has 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education in this mid-size city.
The academic performance at DEAN HIGHLAND EL is currently rated 2.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout, with a state ranking of #7136 out of 8598 schools in Texas (17th percentile). On standardized tests, 22% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 21% show proficiency or better in Math. While these scores indicate room for academic growth, the school is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that focuses on student development.
DEAN HIGHLAND EL sits in an area within Waco where families can connect with each other and support one another's children’s education journey.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dean Highland EL are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Dean Highland EL — Students at Dean Highland EL score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.0/10.
How Dean Highland EL Compares
See how Dean Highland EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 15% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 20% (2021).
Location
3300 MAPLE, Waco, TX 76707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dean Highland EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| REICHER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waco | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| WACO H S Waco | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waco | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| HILLCREST PDS MAGNET Waco | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CRESTVIEW EL Waco | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Waco | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| BRAZOS H S Waco | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.3 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.3 mi | — |
| MCLENNAN COUNTY CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.3 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.3 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| WEST AVENUE EL Waco | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME Waco | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| BROOK AVENUE EL Waco | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| WACO CTR FOR YOUTH Axtell | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO Waco | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,208
Median Home Value
$113,600
Median Rent
$1,055/mo
Population
16,602
College Educated
15.1%
Homeownership
57.2%
Avg Commute
17.2 min
Poverty Rate
31.2%
Median Age
29.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dean Highland EL has a median household income of $38,208. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,600, with a median rent of $1,055/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| ALICIA R CHACON INTERNATIONAL El Paso, TX | 5.7 |
| ASHLEY EL Frisco, TX | 5.7 |
| BEE CAVE EL Austin, TX | 5.7 |
| BILL CHILDRESS EL Canutillo, TX | 5.7 |
| BLACKLAND PRAIRIE EL Round Rock, TX | 5.7 |
| BONHAM EL Bryan, TX | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dean Highland EL
What grades does Dean Highland EL serve?
Dean Highland EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dean Highland EL?
Dean Highland EL has an enrollment of approximately 597 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dean Highland EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Dean Highland EL is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dean Highland EL rank in TX?
Dean Highland EL is ranked #5510 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Dean Highland EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Dean Highland EL has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Dean Highland EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dean Highland EL has 21.0% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dean Highland EL a charter school?
No, Dean Highland EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dean Highland EL a Title I school?
No, Dean Highland EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dean Highland EL?
93.6% of students at Dean Highland 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.
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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 597
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- McLennan County
- Phone
- (254) 752-3751
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WACO ISD- District Enrollment
- 13,517
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,294
- District Rank
- #13 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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