Below Average
#7266 of 8,547 schools in TX
South Waco EL
Elementary School · WACO ISD
2104 GURLEY LN, Waco, TX 76706
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waco
#41 of 46
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#3,696 of 4,678
In district
#22 of 23
WACO ISD
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About South Waco EL
South Waco Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in a mid-size city setting within McLennan County, Texas. With an enrollment of 477 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes facilitated by its 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at South Waco Elementary currently ranks in the lower third statewide, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.6 out of 10.
Students perform at around the state average for proficiency levels in ELA/Reading (26% proficient or above) and below average in Math (20% proficient or above), indicating areas where improvement is needed. South Waco Elementary is situated in a community that offers its students opportunities to engage with their local environment, fostering both academic and social growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Waco EL — Students at South Waco EL score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.7%
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: 4.3/10.
How South Waco EL Compares
See how South Waco EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 22% (2021).
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. WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 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 | 4.1 |
| UNIVERSITY H S Waco | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| BELL'S HILL EL Waco | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Waco | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - WACO Beverly Hills | 1.6 mi | 3.3 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| KENDRICK EL Waco | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ROBINSON PRI Robinson | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| WEST AVENUE EL Waco | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco | 3.0 mi | 4.8 |
| QUINN CAMPUS PUBLIC MIDDLE Waco | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| PAUL AND JANE MEYER PUBLIC H S Waco | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| J H HINES EL Waco | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| G L WILEY OPPORTUNITY CENTER Waco | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| BROOK AVENUE EL Waco | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Waco EL has a median household income of $42,277. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,600, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.4%, 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 |
|---|---|
| ALVIS C STORY EL Allen, TX | 4.6 |
| ARNOLD EL San Antonio, TX | 4.6 |
| AUDELIA CREEK EL Dallas, TX | 4.6 |
| BLUEBONNET TRAIL EL Austin, TX | 4.6 |
| BOWIE EL Harlingen, TX | 4.6 |
| BROWN EL Lubbock, TX | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #7266 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is South Waco EL's MySchoolScout rating?
South Waco EL has a composite rating of 4.6 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 South Waco EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Waco EL has 20.3% math proficiency and 25.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 477
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- McLennan County
- Phone
- (254) 753-6802
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WACO ISD- District Enrollment
- 13,517
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,294
- District Rank
- #22 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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