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Schools in Downtown Waco

Downtown Waco is served by Waco Independent School District (WISD), headquartered at 501 Franklin Ave., Waco, TX 76701.

Waco ISD District Overview

  • Enrollment (2023–24): ~13,488 students across 24–25 campuses
  • Demographics: 90% minority enrollment; 66.4% economically disadvantaged
  • 2024–25 TEA District Rating: D (score of 63) — 13 of 15 elementary schools received failing marks for student achievement; 8 schools received F grades, 6 received D grades
  • 4-year graduation rate: 7% below state benchmark
  • Financial rating: Superior (20th consecutive year — a separate TEA metric)

Public Schools Serving Downtown / ZIP 76701

Campus Type Address Enrollment Notes
G.W. Carver Middle School 6–8 Downtown Waco, 76701 625 students Reopened August 2023 after the original historic campus was destroyed by fire in 2021; new building dedicated May 28, 2024
Waco High School 9–12 Near downtown, 76701 1,704 students District's main comprehensive high school; TEA rating: D
Brook Avenue Elementary PK–5 720 Brook Ave., 76708 360 students Formerly "Improvement Required"; improved 20 points and received a C in the most recent TEA cycle

Magnet & Specialized Programs (District-Wide, Open Enrollment)

  • Lake Air Montessori Magnet School — 4601 Cobbs Dr., Waco, TX 76710; PK3–8th grade; 705 students; one of the largest public Montessori schools in Texas; open by application district-wide
  • Hillcrest PDS (Professional Development School) — Magnet program; 436 students
  • Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy — Career/technical pathway
  • Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy — Career/technical pathway
  • Future Educators Academy — Career/technical pathway

Charter Schools (Waco Area)

  • Paul and Jane Meyer Public High School — Top-ranked local charter high school
  • Quinn Campus Public Middle School — Charter
  • Harmony School of Innovation – Waco — Charter network campus

Private Schools (76701 / Downtown-Adjacent)

  • St. Paul's Episcopal Day School — Top-ranked private school in the 76701 area; religiously affiliated
  • Waco Montessori School — Private Montessori option
  • 67% of private schools in 76701 are religiously affiliated (primarily Christian and Episcopal)

Higher Education

  • Baylor University — Located adjacent to downtown along the Brazos River; ~20,000 students
  • McLennan Community College (MCC) — Central Waco; accessible from downtown
  • Texas State Technical College (TSTC) — Waco campus

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