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Needs Improvement

#8469 of 8,552 schools in TX

Dean Highland EL

Elementary School · WACO ISD

3300 MAPLE, Waco, TX 76707

Enrollment

597

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

2.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#8,469 of 8,552

In Waco

#45 of 46

public schools

In district

#23 of 23

WACO ISD

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Dean Highland EL

2.4/10

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

Reicher Catholic High School

6.7/10

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

Waco H S

4.9/10

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

About Dean Highland EL

Dean Highland EL is a public elementary school in Waco, TX, part of WACO ISD. Dean Highland EL serves approximately 597 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Dean Highland EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #8,469 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Dean Highland EL show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • TX avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-32.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.3 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,294
Chronic Absenteeism23.3%

Dean Highland EL — Students at Dean Highland EL score 16% 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

93.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 50.3% (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
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
28%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
24%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
24%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
20%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
20%
2022
Math
14.5%
ELA
35.4%
2024
Math
11%
ELA
20%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Dean Highland EL Compares

See how Dean Highland EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.4/10
1th percentile in TX
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

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

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 SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably 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 4.9
ST LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waco 0.9 mi 6.0
PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco 0.9 mi 4.9
HILLCREST PDS MAGNET Waco 0.9 mi 5.3
CRESTVIEW EL Waco 1.1 mi 4.5
LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco 1.1 mi 5.8
VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Waco 1.3 mi 6.2
BRAZOS H S Waco 1.3 mi 4.0
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 5.5
WEST AVENUE EL Waco 1.6 mi 3.9
METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME Waco 1.8 mi 4.8
WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco 1.7 mi 7.4
BROOK AVENUE EL Waco 1.8 mi 3.4
WACO CTR FOR YOUTH Axtell 2.0 mi 5.4
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DESSAU EL Austin, TX 2.4
DOUGLASS EL El Paso, TX 2.4
GLASS EL San Antonio, TX 2.4
HENRY B GONZALEZ EL Eagle Pass, TX 2.4
J T BRACKENRIDGE EL San Antonio, TX 2.4
MARTIN EL San Antonio, TX 2.4

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 ranks #8,469 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Dean Highland EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Dean Highland EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Dean Highland EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dean Highland EL has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

District

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

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