Schools in Heart of Texas, Waco¶
Public Schools¶
The Heart of Texas neighborhood is served by Waco Independent School District (WISD). The area's schools reflect the broader challenges of the district, though several campuses have notable programs.
Waco ISD Schools Serving the Heart of Texas Area¶
| School | Address | Grades | Niche Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Highland Elementary | 5100 Hillcrest Dr, Waco, TX 76708 | PK–5 | F (TEA 2025; 3rd consecutive F — charter contract w/ Third Future Schools) |
| Crestview Elementary | 4701 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76710 | PK–5 | D (TEA 2025) |
| Tennyson Middle School | 1200 N 42nd St, Waco, TX 76710 | 6–8 | C (TEA 2025) |
| Waco High School | 2020 N 42nd St, Waco, TX 76710 | 9–12 | D (TEA 2025) |
Note: School assignment depends on specific address. Verify your attendance zone at wacoisd.org.
Waco ISD District Overview¶
Waco ISD serves approximately 14,000 students across the city.
- 2025 TEA District Rating: D (score: 63) — 4th consecutive D. A 5th consecutive D would trigger potential TEA state takeover.
- 8 of 25 campuses received F grades in 2025; 6 received Ds.
- Dean Highland Elementary: 3rd consecutive F; Waco ISD entered a charter performance contract with Third Future Schools (approved early 2026) to manage the campus. Source: KWTX
- Waco High School: D rating (score ~61); offers dual credit, AP courses, and CTE programs.
- Tennyson Middle School: C rating — improved from prior D.
- Financial accountability: Waco ISD received a Superior financial rating for the 20th consecutive year.
Sources: TEA TXschools.gov, Texas Tribune Schools Explorer, Waco Tribune-Herald, KWTX.
Private Schools¶
Valor Preparatory Academy¶
- Type: Private Christian school
- Location: Western Waco / Heart of Texas area
- Notes: Serves families seeking a faith-based alternative to Waco ISD within the neighborhood.
Other Nearby Private Options¶
- Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School (PK–12) — Waco
- Vanguard College Preparatory School (6–12) — Waco
- Eagle Christian Academy (PK–12) — Waco
Homeschooling¶
Several resources support homeschooling families in the Central Texas area:
- Texas Home Educators (THE): Statewide organization providing resources and support.
- Texas Home School Coalition (THSC): Search tool to find local homeschool groups.
- TheHomeSchoolMom.com: Lists homeschool groups in Texas.
Sources: Waco ISD (wacoisd.org), Niche.com, TXschools.gov (TEA).