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Average

#6714 of 8,547 schools in TX

Waelder School

School · WAELDER ISD

P O BOX 247, Waelder, TX 78959

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#413 of 477

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Waelder School

Waelder School serves 297 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in this small Texas community located in Gonzales County. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 11.0:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #1468 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Texas schools.

This strong performance reflects the dedication of the school community to providing quality education in a rural setting. As a comprehensive PreK-12 institution, Waelder School offers the unique advantage of serving students throughout their entire educational journey in one cohesive environment. The small school size fosters a tight-knit community atmosphere where students can participate in various activities and receive individualized support.

The surrounding ZIP code area has a median household income of $57,610 and a 13% poverty rate, reflecting a working-class community with modest economic resources. About 13% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values sit at $100,000. Waelder School operates in a remote rural area, providing education to families in this close-knit agricultural community where everyone knows their neighbors.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Waelder School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Waelder School 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,525

Waelder School — Students at Waelder School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Waelder School Compares

See how Waelder School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
22th percentile in TX
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

P O BOX 247, Waelder, TX 78959

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waelder School may also want to explore other schools in the area. SHINER CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 20.5 miles away, in nearby Shiner), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LEGACY RANCH INSPIRE ACADEMY (rated 5.1/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Gonzales), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waelder, see our Waelder schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.5 mi
School Distance Rating
MOULTON H S Moulton 12.2 mi 8.2
MOULTON EL Moulton 12.3 mi 9.5
FLATONIA EL Flatonia 11.9 mi 9.0
FLATONIA SECONDARY Flatonia 11.9 mi 7.4
GONZALES H S Gonzales 14.6 mi 6.3
GONZALES EL Gonzales 15.3 mi 4.8
WHISPERING HILLS ACHIEVEMENT CENTER Flatonia 14.0 mi
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gonzales 15.7 mi
GONZALES J H Gonzales 15.9 mi 5.7
GONZALES NORTH AVENUE Gonzales 15.9 mi 8.3
GONZALES PRI ACADEMY Gonzales 16.3 mi 6.1
SHINER EL Shiner 18.5 mi 8.6
SHINER H S Shiner 18.5 mi 6.8
LEGACY RANCH INSPIRE ACADEMY Gonzales 17.3 mi 5.1
RED ROCK EL Red Rock 20.3 mi 4.0
SHINER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Shiner 20.5 mi 5.4
SMITHVILLE J H Smithville 22.3 mi 7.3
SMITHVILLE H S Smithville 22.4 mi 8.1
BROWN PRI Smithville 22.8 mi 4.3
SMITHVILLE EL Smithville 23.5 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78959 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,029

Median Home Value

$214,800

Median Rent

$832/mo

Population

1,401

College Educated

16.1%

Homeownership

74.4%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

51.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waelder School has a median household income of $51,029. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,800, with a median rent of $832/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. 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
GENESIS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Houston, TX 5.0
GREENVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Greenville, TX 5.0
LEGACY PREPARATORY CHARTER ACADEMY PLANO Dallas, TX 5.0
PROMESA COLLEGE PREP WEST CORPUS CHRISTI Corpus Christi, TX 5.0
KINGDOM PREPARATORY ACADEMY Lubbock, TX 5.1
TEXAS EMPOWERMENT ACADEMY Austin, TX 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waelder School

What grades does Waelder School serve?

Waelder School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Waelder School?

Waelder School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waelder School?

The student-teacher ratio at Waelder School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waelder School rank in TX?

Waelder School is ranked #6714 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Waelder School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waelder School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Waelder School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waelder School has 17.0% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waelder School a charter school?

No, Waelder School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waelder School a Title I school?

No, Waelder School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waelder School?

98.0% of students at Waelder School 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

City Safety
Low (208/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waelder). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Gonzales County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WAELDER ISD
District Enrollment
297
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,741
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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