Needs Improvement
#8216 of 8,552 schools in TX
South Waco EL
Elementary School · WACO ISD
2104 GURLEY LN, Waco, TX 76706
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#8,216 of 8,552
In Waco
#42 of 46
public schools
In district
#21 of 23
WACO ISD
School environment
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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South Waco EL
Elementary School in Waco · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Alta Vista EL
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
University H S
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Waco EL
South Waco EL is a public elementary school in Waco, TX, part of WACO ISD. South Waco EL serves approximately 477 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. South Waco EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #8,216 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for South Waco EL show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.0
- TX avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Waco EL — Students at South Waco EL score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 2.4/10.
How South Waco EL Compares
See how South Waco EL 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
2104 GURLEY LN, Waco, TX 76706
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Waco EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ROBINSON EL (rated 7.9/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Robinson), which scores notably higher. Another option is WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ALTA VISTA EL Waco | 1.1 mi | 3.2 |
| UNIVERSITY H S Waco | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| BELL'S HILL EL Waco | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Waco | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - WACO Beverly Hills | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO Waco | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| LIVE OAK CLASSICAL SCHOOL Waco | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Waco | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| ROBINSON EL Robinson | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
| KENDRICK EL Waco | 2.9 mi | 3.3 |
| ROBINSON PRI Robinson | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| WEST AVENUE EL Waco | 3.0 mi | 3.9 |
| PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco | 3.0 mi | 4.9 |
| QUINN CAMPUS PUBLIC MIDDLE Waco | 3.4 mi | 4.3 |
| PAUL AND JANE MEYER PUBLIC H S Waco | 3.4 mi | 8.6 |
| J H HINES EL Waco | 3.5 mi | 3.8 |
| G L WILEY OPPORTUNITY CENTER Waco | 3.6 mi | 5.5 |
| BROOK AVENUE EL Waco | 3.6 mi | 3.4 |
| VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Waco | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,277
Median Home Value
$180,600
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
Population
40,668
College Educated
22.6%
Homeownership
38.9%
Avg Commute
17.3 min
Poverty Rate
32.4%
Median Age
23.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALTA VISTA EL Waco, TX | 3.2 |
| AUDRE AND BERNARD RAPOPORT ACADEMY Waco, TX | 3.2 |
| BERTRAM EL Bertram, TX | 3.2 |
| BOWIE EL San Marcos, TX | 3.2 |
| BRADFORD EL San Angelo, TX | 3.2 |
| CANALES EL Brownsville, TX | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Waco EL
What grades does South Waco EL serve?
South Waco EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Waco EL?
South Waco EL has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Waco EL?
The student-teacher ratio at South Waco EL is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Waco EL rank in TX?
South Waco EL ranks #8,216 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is South Waco EL's MySchoolScout rating?
South Waco EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 South Waco EL?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Waco EL has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is South Waco EL a charter school?
No, South Waco EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Waco EL a Title I school?
No, South Waco EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Waco EL?
93.7% of students at South Waco 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 477
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- McLennan County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.4%
- Phone
- (254) 753-6802
Resources & Links
District
WACO ISD- District Enrollment
- 13,517
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,294
- District Rank
- #21 of 23
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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