Waco High School

2020 N 42nd St
Waco, TX 76710
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Waco High School is a public high school located in the city of Waco, Texas and classified as a 6A school by the UIL. It is a part of the Waco Independent School District located in central McLennan County. In 2015, the school was rated “Improvement Required” by the Texas Education Agency.
Serving 1,885 students in grades 9-12, Waco High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Texas for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 22% (which is lower than the Texas state average of 44%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 21% (which is lower than the Texas state average of 51%).
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Texas state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Texas state average of 76% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,885 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 92%
  • : 84% (Btm 50% in TX)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 22% (Btm 50%)
  • : 21% (Btm 50%)
  • : 29% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Waco High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Texas for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Waco High School's student population of 1,885 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 140 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,885 students
Total Classroom Teachers
140 teachers
Year Founded
1986
School Calendar

School Rankings

Waco High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 8,096 schools in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Waco High School is 0.55, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (TX)
#7643 out of 8096 schools
(Bottom 50%)
22%
44%
21%
51%
29%
46%
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
6%
Hispanic
60%
54%
Black
30%
13%
White
8%
24%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
0.55
84%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
82%
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Waco Independent School District
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education

School Notes

  • School Mascot: Whs Lion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Waco High School's ranking?
Waco High School is ranked #7643 out of 8,096 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Texas.
What schools are Waco High School often compared to?
Waco High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like University High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
22% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 44% TX state average), while 21% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% TX state average).
What is the graduation rate of Waco High School?
The graduation rate of Waco High School is 84%, which is lower than the Texas state average of 90%.
How many students attend Waco High School?
1,885 students attend Waco High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
60% of Waco High School students are Hispanic, 30% of students are Black, 8% of students are White, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Waco High School?
Waco High School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the Texas state average of 14:1.
What grades does Waco High School offer ?
Waco High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Waco High School part of?
Waco High School is part of Waco Independent School District.
In what neighborhood is Waco High School located?
Waco High School is located in the Heart of Texas neighborhood of Waco, TX. There are 2 other public schools located in Heart of Texas.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,885 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 92%
  • : 84% (Btm 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 22% (Btm 50%)
  • : 21% (Btm 50%)
  • : 29% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education

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