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Schools in South Waco

South Waco is served by Waco Independent School District (WISD). The neighborhood's schools reflect the district's broader challenges — Waco ISD received a D rating (score 63) from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for 2024–25, its fourth consecutive D.

Waco ISD District Overview

  • Enrollment: ~13,488 students
  • Demographics: 90% minority; 66.4% economically disadvantaged; 11% bilingual/ELL
  • TEA District Rating (2024–25): D (score 63)
  • Financial Rating: Superior (20th consecutive year — a separate TEA metric)

Elementary Schools

South Waco Elementary School - Address: 2104 Gurley Ln, Waco, TX 76706 - Phone: (254) 753-6802 - Grades: PK–5 - Enrollment (2023–24): ~471–477 students - TEA Rating (2024–25): F — third consecutive failing year; subject to TEA turnaround plan - Demographics: 73.9% at-risk; 11% bilingual/ELL - Charter Contract (2026): Waco ISD approved a charter performance contract with Third Future Schools in early 2026 for this campus (alongside Dean Highland Elementary) to prevent state intervention under the TEA turnaround process.

~~Alta Vista Elementary School~~ (CLOSED June 2025) - Address: 3637 Alta Vista Dr, Waco, TX 76706 - Final TEA Rating (2024–25): F — ranked in bottom 2.1% of Texas elementary schools - Final Enrollment: ~504–545 students - Demographics: 65.2% Hispanic, 21.8% Black, 8.7% White - Status: Permanently closed at end of 2024–25 school year. Students redistributed to newly built Kendrick Elementary and expanded South Waco Elementary for 2025–26.

Note: Waco ISD's 13 of 15 elementary schools received failing marks for student achievement in 2024–25. The top-performing elementary campus is Lake Air Montessori (76710), which received a score of 78.

Middle School

Cesar Chavez Middle School - Address: 700 S. 15th St., Waco, TX 76706 - Grades: 6–8 - Enrollment (2023–24): ~813 students - TEA Rating (2024–25): F — proficiency rates 23–39% vs. state average 52–54% - Notes: Located in the heart of South Waco; named for the labor rights leader Cesar Chavez; one of WISD's three middle schools

High School

University High School - Address: 3201 S. New Rd., Waco, TX 76706 - Grades: 9–12 - Enrollment (2024–25): ~1,752 students - TEA Rating (2024–25): Bottom 50% for 2025; 70.4% of students considered at-risk - Notes: Directly serves the South Waco / 76706 area; one of two WISD comprehensive high schools

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

  • Lake Air Montessori Magnet School — 4601 Cobbs Dr., Waco, TX 76710; PK3–8; highest-rated WISD campus; open by application district-wide
  • Hillcrest PDS (Professional Development School) — Magnet program; 436 students
  • Greater Waco Advanced Health Care / Manufacturing Academies — Career/technical pathways (high school)

Private and Charter Options

  • St. Louis Catholic School — 2001 N. 25th St., Waco, TX 76708; K–8; affiliated with St. Louis Catholic Church (est. 1963)
  • Paul and Jane Meyer Public High School — Top-ranked local charter high school
  • Harmony School of Innovation – Waco — Charter network campus

Sources