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Below Average

#6836 of 8,552 schools in TX

Waelder School

School · WAELDER ISD

P O BOX 247, Waelder, TX 78959

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,836 of 8,552

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Waelder School

4.7/10

School in Waelder · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Moulton H S

9.2/10

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

Moulton EL

7.3/10

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

About Waelder School

Waelder School is a public school in Waelder, TX, part of WAELDER ISD. Waelder School serves approximately 297 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Waelder School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #6,836 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Waelder School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.6 pts below TX schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Waelder School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Waelder School 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 Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-30.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.3 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
AP Participation3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,741
Chronic Absenteeism30.6%

Waelder School — Students at Waelder School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

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 STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 46.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 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
67%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
22.3%
ELA
36.2%
2024
Math
13%
ELA
26%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Waelder School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
20th percentile in TX
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
2
1 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
3% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics2sports offered
1 boys'·1 girls'·4 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

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 3.2/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Gonzales), a more accessible option. 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 9.2
MOULTON EL Moulton 12.3 mi 7.3
FLATONIA EL Flatonia 11.9 mi 8.8
FLATONIA SECONDARY Flatonia 11.9 mi 8.3
GONZALES H S Gonzales 14.6 mi 4.8
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 4.4
GONZALES NORTH AVENUE Gonzales 15.9 mi 6.3
GONZALES PRI ACADEMY Gonzales 16.3 mi 4.2
SHINER EL Shiner 18.5 mi 8.3
SHINER H S Shiner 18.5 mi 8.0
LEGACY RANCH INSPIRE ACADEMY Gonzales 17.3 mi 3.2
RED ROCK EL Red Rock 20.3 mi 2.7
SHINER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Shiner 20.5 mi 5.4
SMITHVILLE J H Smithville 22.3 mi 5.1
SMITHVILLE H S Smithville 22.4 mi 5.4
BROWN PRI Smithville 22.8 mi 4.4
SMITHVILLE EL Smithville 23.5 mi 6.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
MORTON SCHOOL Morton, TX 4.7
PRIORITY CHARTER SCHOOLS TEMPLE Morgans Point Resort, TX 4.7
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Conroe, TX 4.6
LUCAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lucas, TX 4.6
GARNER COLLEGE AND CAREER PREPARATORY ACADEMY Weatherford, TX 4.9
IGNITE COMMUNITY SCHOOL - FALLBROOK Lewisville, TX 4.5

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 ranks #6,836 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Waelder School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waelder School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Waelder School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Waelder School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.6%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

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

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