Forsgard Homestead · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Waco’s public schools score below 71% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Waco, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 45% of students in Waco’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Texas average (51%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Texas, not nationally.
From Texas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Waco’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 38% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Waco Independent spends $14,400 per student and Midway Independent $10,856, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Audre and Bernard Rapoport Academy, Quinn Campus Public Middle, Paul and Jane Meyer Public H S, Methodist Children's Home, Premier H S of Waco, Harmony Science Acad, Live Oak Classical School (private), Valor Preparatory Academy (private), Vanguard College Preparatory School (private), Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School (private), St. Pauls Episcopal Day School (private), Waco Montessori School (private), Eagle Christian Academy (private) and Ceac College Preparatory School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Waco’s grade
C: better than 29% of Texas school districts, #490 of 642 Texas towns. Both inputs trail the Texas average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Waco, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Waco · depends on your address
Midway H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,687 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Waco H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,885 students · 13:1 students per teacher
University H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,752 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Waco · depends on your address
Midway H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,687 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Waco H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,885 students · 13:1 students per teacher
University H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,752 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Waco runs its own schools through grade 12 (Waco Independent School District). From grade PK, students attend the Midway Independent School District, shared with Hewitt and Woodway. Parts of Waco (13%, 9% and 8% of its land) are served by Bosqueville Independent, China Spring Independent and La Vega Independent instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Waco
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Waco vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Waco’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Waco | C | Waco Independent PK–12 · Midway Independent PK–12 |
| Woodway | A | Midway Independent |
| Bellmead | C | La Vega Independent |
| Robinson | A− | Robinson Independent |
| Hewitt | A | Midway Independent |
| McGregor | B− | McGregor Independent |
| Lacy-Lakeview | D | Connally Independent |
2 of the 6 neighbors share Midway Independent with Waco for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Waco
43 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Texas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 17 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, McLennan County Challenge Academy, McLennan County Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, McLennan Co Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Challenge Academy, Bill Logue Detention Center and Challenge Academy).
Questions about Waco’s schools
Are Waco’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waco children attend score below 71% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #490 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 27%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waco in?
Two districts: Waco Independent School District runs grades PK–12, and Midway Independent School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Hewitt and Woodway.
Where do Waco kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Midway H S, Waco H S and University H S.
What is Waco’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Waco Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Waco spend per student?
$14,400 in Waco Independent School District and $10,856 in Midway Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Waco?
Yes: Live Oak Classical School (religious, grades PK–12, 468 students), Valor Preparatory Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 390 students), Vanguard College Preparatory School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 292 students), Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 282 students), St. Pauls Episcopal Day School (religious, grades PK–6, 245 students), Waco Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 205 students), Eagle Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 173 students) and Ceac College Preparatory School (religious, grades 8–12, 10 students). Waco also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Waco families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waco → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Texas. Stars are from neighbors.