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Schools in Castle Heights, Waco

Castle Heights falls within Waco Independent School District (WISD). The neighborhood's feeder pattern runs through Cedar Ridge Elementary → G.W. Carver Middle School → University High School.

Note: Waco ISD is currently (2025) redrawing attendance zones for the first time since 2012. Verify current school assignments via Waco ISD's InfoFinder tool at wacoisd.org before relying on these assignments.

Waco ISD District Overview

  • District TEA Rating (2024–25): D (score 63) — 4th consecutive D; 8 of 25 campuses received F grades
  • Enrollment: ~13,488 students
  • Demographics: 90% minority; 66.4% economically disadvantaged
  • Financial Rating: Superior (20th consecutive year — separate from academic rating)

Elementary

Cedar Ridge Elementary School - Address: 2115 Meridian Ave., Waco, TX 76708 - Phone: (254) 756-1241 - Grades: PK–5 - Enrollment: ~400–449 students (2023–24); down 34.1% since 2016 - Demographics: ~64.8% Hispanic; ~98.2% economically disadvantaged - TEA Rating (2024–25): C - Website: cre.wacoisd.org

Middle School

G.W. Carver Middle School - Address: 1601 J.J. Flewellen Rd, Waco, TX 76704 - Grades: 6–8 - Enrollment: ~773 students (2023–24) - TEA Rating (2024–25): F — Three consecutive failing years; at risk of TEA state intervention - Offers a Gifted & Talented program - Website: gwcms.wacoisd.org

High School

University High School - Address: 3201 S. New Rd, Waco, TX 76706 - Grades: 9–12 - Enrollment: ~1,749–1,755 students - TEA Rating (2024–25): C

Magnet / Specialized Options (District-Wide, Open Enrollment)

  • Lake Air Montessori Magnet School — 4601 Cobbs Dr., Waco, TX 76710; PK3–8; 705 students; one of the largest public Montessori programs in Texas; highest-rated Waco ISD campus (score 78); enrollment by application
  • Hillcrest PDS (Professional Development School) — Magnet program; 436 students
  • Greater Waco Advanced Health Care / Manufacturing Academies — Career/technical pathways (high school)

Private Schools (Area)

  • St. Paul's Episcopal Day School — Top-ranked private option in the broader area
  • Waco Montessori School — Private Montessori option

Sources