Below Average
#6582 of 8,552 schools in TX
Waco H S
High School · WACO ISD
2020 N 42ND ST, Waco, TX 76710
Enrollment
1,778
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,778
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#6,582 of 8,552
In Waco
#24 of 46
public schools
In district
#11 of 23
WACO ISD
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Waco H S
High School in Waco · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lake Air Montessori School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hillcrest Pds Magnet
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waco H S
Waco H S is a public high school in Waco, TX, part of WACO ISD. Waco H S serves approximately 1,778 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Waco H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #6,582 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Waco H S show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 5.0
- TX avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Waco 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.
61% of students at Waco 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 metricsView breakdown
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Waco H S — Students at Waco H S score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 28 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: 7.0/10.
How Waco H S Compares
See how Waco H S 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
2020 N 42ND ST, Waco, TX 76710
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waco H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHALLENGE ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BRAZOS H S (rated 4.0/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waco, see our Waco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| HILLCREST PDS MAGNET Waco | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| CRESTVIEW EL Waco | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| DEAN HIGHLAND EL Waco | 0.8 mi | 2.4 |
| VALOR PREPARATORY ACADEMY Waco | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| EAGLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waco | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| HARMONY SCIENCE ACAD (WACO) Waco | 1.2 mi | 2.3 |
| TENNYSON MIDDLE Waco | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| MOUNTAINVIEW EL Waco | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| PARKDALE EL Waco | 1.4 mi | 2.5 |
| BRAZOS H S Waco | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| REICHER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waco | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| PROVIDENT HEIGHTS EL Waco | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| ST LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waco | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 2.1 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 2.1 mi | — |
| MCLENNAN COUNTY CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 2.1 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 2.1 mi | — |
| CHALLENGE ACADEMY Waco | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| WACO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Waco | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76710 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,304
Median Home Value
$229,000
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
Population
23,270
College Educated
32.1%
Homeownership
46.5%
Avg Commute
15.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
38.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DONNA H S Donna, TX | 4.9 |
| MEMORIAL H S Port Arthur, TX | 4.9 |
| ROY MILLER H S AND METRO SCHOOL OF DESIGN Corpus Christi, TX | 4.9 |
| SOMERSET H S Somerset, TX | 4.9 |
| WESLACO EAST H S Weslaco, TX | 4.9 |
| BALL H S Galveston, TX | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waco H S
What grades does Waco H S serve?
Waco H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Waco H S?
Waco H S has an enrollment of approximately 1,778 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waco H S?
The student-teacher ratio at Waco H S is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waco H S rank in TX?
Waco H S ranks #6,582 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Waco H S's MySchoolScout rating?
Waco H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Waco H S?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waco H S has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Waco H S a charter school?
No, Waco H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waco H S a Title I school?
No, Waco H S is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waco H S?
87.1% of students at Waco 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,778
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 143
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- McLennan County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.3%
- Phone
- (254) 776-1150
- 4-Year Graduation
- 88.0%
Resources & Links
District
WACO ISD- District Enrollment
- 13,517
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,294
- District Rank
- #11 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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