Top Rankings
Waco Independent School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Texas for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 3,798 students in Waco Independent School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Texas.
Public High Schools in Waco Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Texas public high school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Public High School in Waco Independent School District have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the Texas average of 90%.
The school with highest graduation rate is University High School, with 86% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Texas or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public high school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (TX)
# Schools
23 Schools
2,561 Schools
# Students
13,376 Students
1,888,482 Students
# Teachers
922 Teachers
125,112 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Waco Independent School District, which is ranked #1094 of all 1,194 school districts in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 81% has increased from 75% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1117 out of 1202 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
44%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
46%
Graduation Rate
81%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.54
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
62%
53%
% Black
27%
13%
% White
8%
26%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,430 is higher than the state median of $13,352. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,596 is higher than the state median of $14,079. The school district spending/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$206 MM
$74,029 MM
Spending
$195 MM
$78,063 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,430
$13,352
Spending / Student
$14,596
$14,079
Best Waco Independent School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bill Logue Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2601 Gholson Rd
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 754-0803
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 754-0803
Gr: 7-11 | 11 students
Rank: #22.
University High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3201 S New Rd
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 756-1843
Waco, TX 76706
(254) 756-1843
Gr: 9-12 | 1,752 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #33.
Waco High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2020 N 42nd St
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 776-1150
Waco, TX 76710
(254) 776-1150
Gr: 9-12 | 1,885 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #44.
Challenge Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2015 Alexander Ave
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 754-0803
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 754-0803
Gr: 7-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #55.
G L Wiley Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1030 E Live Oak St
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 757-3829
Waco, TX 76704
(254) 757-3829
Gr: 2-12 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
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