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Average

#5585 of 8,552 schools in TX

University H S

High School · WACO ISD

3201 S NEW RD, Waco, TX 76706

Enrollment

1,750

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#5,585 of 8,552

In Waco

#16 of 46

public schools

In district

#5 of 23

WACO ISD

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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University H S

5.6/10

High School in Waco · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alta Vista EL

3.2/10

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

South Waco EL

3.2/10

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

About University H S

University H S is a public high school in Waco, TX, part of WACO ISD. University H S serves approximately 1,750 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. University H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #5,585 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for University H S show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at University H S sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

41% of students at University H S were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate94%
AP Participation16%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,294
Chronic Absenteeism40.9%

University H S — Students at University H S score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 50.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 28 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
66%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
61%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
39%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
24%
ELA
38%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How University H S Compares

See how University H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in TX
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
113 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
16% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

3201 S NEW RD, Waco, TX 76706

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ROBINSON H S (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Robinson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - WACO (rated 5.7/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Beverly Hills), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
ALTA VISTA EL Waco 0.6 mi 3.2
SOUTH WACO EL Waco 1.5 mi 3.2
HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - WACO Beverly Hills 1.7 mi 5.7
ROBINSON EL Robinson 1.9 mi 7.9
ROBINSON PRI Robinson 2.0 mi 6.2
BELL'S HILL EL Waco 2.3 mi 5.6
CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Waco 2.7 mi 5.2
SUMMIT SCHOOL WACO Waco 2.8 mi 6.7
ROBINSON J H Robinson 2.8 mi 8.5
WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco 3.0 mi 7.4
ROBINSON H S Robinson 3.0 mi 7.6
ROBINSON INT Robinson 3.0 mi 7.8
VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Waco 3.1 mi 6.2
LIVE OAK CLASSICAL SCHOOL Waco 3.5 mi 7.3
PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco 3.5 mi 4.9
CRESTVIEW EL Waco 3.3 mi 4.5
ST PAULS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Waco 3.7 mi 6.9
WEST AVENUE EL Waco 3.8 mi 3.9
KENDRICK EL Waco 4.0 mi 3.3
DEAN HIGHLAND EL Waco 3.9 mi 2.4

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
COPPERAS COVE H S Copperas Cove, TX 5.6
GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL Baytown, TX 5.6
HARKER HEIGHTS H S Harker Heights, TX 5.6
HORIZON H S El Paso, TX 5.6
LAMAR CONS H S Rosenberg, TX 5.6
MISSION H S Mission, TX 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University H S

What grades does University H S serve?

University H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend University H S?

University H S has an enrollment of approximately 1,750 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University H S?

The student-teacher ratio at University H S is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University H S rank in TX?

University H S ranks #5,585 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is University H S's MySchoolScout rating?

University H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 University H S?

Based on loaded state assessment records, University H S has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is University H S a charter school?

No, University H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is University H S a Title I school?

No, University H S is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University H S?

89.2% of students at University H S 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,750
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
113
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
McLennan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.9%
4-Year Graduation
94.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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