Schools in Mountainview, Waco¶
Public Schools¶
Mountainview is served by Waco Independent School District (WISD).
Waco ISD Schools Serving the Mountainview Area¶
| School | Address | Grades | Niche Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountainview Elementary | 5200 Mountainview Dr, Waco, TX 76710 | PK–5 | D (TEA 2025; was C in 2021-22) |
| 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.
Mountainview Elementary — Ratings and Information¶
Mountainview Elementary is located on Bishop Drive, centrally within the neighborhood and directly adjacent to Mountainview Park.
- TEA Rating (2025): D — declined from C (2021-22). Campus PEIMS ID: 161914116.
- Enrollment: Approximately 402 students (2024–25)
- Demographics: Hispanic 46%, African American 24%, White 24%, Two or more races 4%, American Indian 1%, Asian 1%
- STAAR Reading Performance (2023–24): 25% proficient in 3rd grade; 38% in 4th grade; 37% in 5th grade — below Texas state averages of 49%, 51%, and 54% respectively
- For current TEA rating, see TXschools.gov (search Waco ISD → Mountainview Elementary)
Note: Mountainview Elementary's academic performance is below state averages. The school's demographics — with significant Hispanic and African American populations — reflect a broader attendance zone than just the immediate Mountainview neighborhood.
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.
- 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.
Private Schools¶
Vanguard College Preparatory School¶
- Type: Private, independent, coeducational college preparatory day school
- Grades: 7–12
- Address: Located within the Mountainview neighborhood, Waco, TX 76710
- Enrollment: Approximately 300 students
- Student-to-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 — exceptionally small classes
- Niche Rating: A+
- Founded: 1973
- Tuition: $16,550 (highest grade)
- Campus: 8.5-acre college-style campus with multiple dedicated buildings:
- Science and math building (1984)
- Multi-purpose gymnasium (1980, enlarged 1992)
- Performing arts center (1987)
- Academic Outcomes: 100% graduation rate; average SAT 1320; average ACT 29; average GPA 3.74
- Notes: Widely considered the premier private secondary school in the Waco area. The school's 6:1 student-teacher ratio and 100% graduation rate set it apart from all other Waco-area schools, public or private.
- Website: vanguard.org
Other Nearby Private Options¶
- Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School (PK–12) — Waco
- Eagle Christian Academy (PK–12) — Waco
Homeschooling¶
Resources for 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), Vanguard College Preparatory School (vanguard.org), Niche.com, Public School Review, U.S. News Education, TXschools.gov (TEA).