Very Good
#1697 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 20% in state
Gholson ISD
School · GHOLSON ISD
137 HAMILTON DR, Waco, TX 76705
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waco
#6 of 46
public schools
Texas schools
#100 of 477
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Gholson ISD
Gholson ISD serves 269 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in this close-knit district near Waco, Texas. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The district has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #593 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile among Texas schools.
This impressive ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its smaller size. As a complete PK-12 district, Gholson ISD offers families the continuity of having their children progress through all grade levels within the same educational community. The small enrollment allows teachers and staff to know each student individually, fostering a supportive environment where students can develop both academically and personally.
The school draws from a diverse community in McLennan County, where the median household income is $51,546 and median home values average $152,000. About 16% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 21.4%. Gholson ISD is situated in a rural setting near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to nearby urban resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Gholson ISD may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Gholson ISD — Students at Gholson ISD score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.3%
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: 8.0/10.
How Gholson ISD Compares
See how Gholson ISD performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
137 HAMILTON DR, Waco, TX 76705
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gholson ISD may also want to explore other schools in the area. AQUILLA SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Aquilla), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 4.9/10, 9.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHINA SPRING EL China Spring | 5.3 mi | 5.0 |
| CHINA SPRING INT China Spring | 6.3 mi | 7.7 |
| CHINA SPRING PRI China Spring | 6.3 mi | 5.0 |
| TAG China Spring | 6.3 mi | — |
| CHINA SPRING MIDDLE China Spring | 6.6 mi | 7.8 |
| CHINA SPRING H S China Spring | 6.7 mi | 6.8 |
| BOSQUEVILLE EL Waco | 6.9 mi | 9.2 |
| BOSQUEVILLE H S Waco | 7.1 mi | 8.6 |
| BOSQUEVILLE MIDDLE Waco | 7.1 mi | 5.7 |
| PREMIER H S OF WACO Lewisville | 9.3 mi | 4.1 |
| PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waco | 9.0 mi | 4.9 |
| CONNALLY PRI Elm Mott | 8.4 mi | 6.0 |
| CONNALLY J H Elm Mott | 8.5 mi | 6.8 |
| AQUILLA SCHOOL Aquilla | 9.6 mi | 7.7 |
| CEDAR RIDGE EL Waco | 9.9 mi | 6.2 |
| CONNALLY HIGH SCHOOL Waco | 9.2 mi | 5.9 |
| WACO CTR FOR YOUTH Axtell | 10.1 mi | 6.9 |
| CONNALLY EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Waco | 9.4 mi | 6.2 |
| CONNALLY EL Waco | 9.4 mi | 5.4 |
| BRAZOS H S Waco | 10.6 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,881
Median Home Value
$167,000
Median Rent
$941/mo
Population
31,750
College Educated
16.8%
Homeownership
61.5%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gholson ISD has a median household income of $54,881. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,000, with a median rent of $941/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| FIRST BAPTIST ACADEMY OF UNIVERSAL CITY Universal City, TX | 7.6 |
| FOLLETT SCHOOL Follett, TX | 7.6 |
| RENAISSANCE ACADEMY Austin, TX | 7.6 |
| WILDORADO SCHOOL Wildorado, TX | 7.6 |
| COVINGTON SCHOOL Covington, TX | 7.5 |
| FAYETTEVILLE SCHOOLS Fayetteville, TX | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gholson ISD
What grades does Gholson ISD serve?
Gholson ISD serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Gholson ISD?
Gholson ISD has an enrollment of approximately 269 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gholson ISD?
The student-teacher ratio at Gholson ISD is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gholson ISD rank in TX?
Gholson ISD is ranked #1697 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Gholson ISD's MySchoolScout rating?
Gholson ISD has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Gholson ISD?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gholson ISD has 42.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gholson ISD a charter school?
No, Gholson ISD is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gholson ISD a Title I school?
No, Gholson ISD is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gholson ISD?
74.3% of students at Gholson ISD 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 269
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- McLennan County
- Phone
- (254) 829-1528
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GHOLSON ISD- District Enrollment
- 270
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,536
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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