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
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Waelder School — Students at Waelder School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
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: 6.4/10.
How Waelder School Compares
See how Waelder School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (830) 239-5602
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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