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Schools in the University / Baylor Neighborhood, Waco, TX

School District

The entire University neighborhood is within Waco Independent School District (WISD). There is no Midway ISD or other district overlap within the official neighborhood boundaries.

Families should verify their assigned campus using the Waco ISD attendance zone tool at wacoisd.org or by calling (254) 755-9411.

Waco ISD District Rating (2025)

  • TEA 2025 District Rating: D (score: 63/100) — 4th consecutive D (ratings released August 15, 2025)
  • Domain scores: Student Achievement 60, School Progress 65, Closing the Gaps 58
  • 13 of 15 elementary schools received failing marks for student achievement
  • District serves approximately 14,000 students across 25+ campuses
  • A 5th consecutive D could trigger TEA state takeover or other intervention
  • Third Future Schools charter management contract approved for Dean Highland Elementary and South Waco Elementary (early 2026) to prevent state intervention
  • Notable exception: Lake Air Montessori scored 78 — highest of any Waco ISD campus
  • See txschools.gov for individual campus ratings

Public Schools Serving the University Neighborhood

School Address Grades TEA 2025 Phone
Kendrick Elementary 1801 Kendrick Lane, Waco, TX 76711 PK–5 Not yet rated (new campus, opened Aug 2025) (254) 750-8770
Hillcrest PDS Magnet 4225 Pine Ave, Waco, TX 76710 PK–5 C (254) 756-4730
Lake Air Montessori Waco, TX PK–8 (magnet) C (score: 78) — highest in WISD (254) 756-0010
Cesar Chavez Middle School 700 S. 15th St, Waco, TX 76706 6–8 F (254) 750-3736
University High School 3201 S. New Rd, Waco, TX 76706 9–12 C (score: 74) (254) 750-9120

Note: Exact elementary assignment depends on street address. Attendance zone adjustments were under active discussion in 2025–2026 following the closure of Alta Vista Elementary and the opening of the new Kendrick Elementary. Consult Waco ISD directly for your specific address.

Hillcrest PDS Magnet (4225 Pine Ave)

  • Grades: PK–5
  • Enrollment (2023–24): 433 students
  • TEA 2025: C (improved from D in prior cycles; SchoolDigger ranks it #1 elementary in the WISD area for improvement trajectory)
  • Type: Magnet school — Partnership with Baylor University School of Education (Baylor's first Professional Development School site)
  • Academic Profile: ~37% math proficiency, ~52% reading proficiency (2023–24)
  • Demographics: Diverse; significant percentage of economically disadvantaged students
  • Notes: The Baylor University partnership provides additional instructional support, student teacher placements, and professional development. One of the more distinctive public elementary options in Waco ISD.

Lake Air Montessori (Public Magnet)

  • Grades: PK–8
  • TEA 2025: C (score: 78/100) — the highest-rated campus in Waco ISD
  • Type: Public magnet school using Montessori methodology
  • Notes: The district's academic standout; open to all Waco ISD students through an application/lottery process. Highly regarded by Waco parents. Serves grades through 8th, bridging both elementary and middle school age ranges.

Cesar Chavez Middle School (700 S. 15th St)

  • Grades: 6–8
  • Enrollment (2023–24): 813 students
  • TEA 2025: F — proficiency rates 23–39% vs. state average 52–54%
  • Niche Grade: C
  • GreatSchools Rating: 3/10
  • Academic Profile: ~19% math proficiency, ~32% reading proficiency (2023–24)
  • Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
  • Notes: Primary feeder school for University High School. University neighborhood students typically progress Kendrick Elementary → Cesar Chavez → University High. Bell's Hill Elementary also feeds into Cesar Chavez.

University High School (3201 S. New Rd)

  • Grades: 9–12
  • Enrollment: 1,749 students
  • TEA 2025: Score 74/100 (C range) — improved 1 point from 2024, highest improvement in School Progress category
  • Niche Grade: B
  • Demographics: 70.9% Hispanic, 22.4% Black, 4.9% White; 83.9% free/reduced-price lunch; 23% English Language Learners
  • Notes: One of the better-performing campuses in Waco ISD. Feeder pipeline: Kendrick Elementary / Bell's Hill Elementary / South Waco Elementary → Cesar Chavez Middle → University High. (Alta Vista Elementary fed this pipeline until it closed June 2025.) The school's Waco ISD Stadium (1401 S. New Rd) is an 11,500-seat athletic facility serving the campus and the broader South/Southwest Waco community.

Baylor University

  • Address: 1301 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76706
  • Phone: (254) 710-1011
  • Type: Private Christian research university
  • Affiliation: Baptist (Baptist General Convention of Texas)
  • Enrollment (Fall 2025): ~19,858 total; ~14,183 undergrad; students from all 50 states and 90 countries
  • Founded: 1845 (chartered by the Republic of Texas); relocated to Waco from Independence, TX in 1886
  • Rankings: Classified as an R1 (Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity) institution; consistently ranked among top national universities by U.S. News & World Report; strong programs in law, business, nursing, and sciences
  • Notable: Oldest continuously operating university in Texas; located entirely within the neighborhood

Private Schools (Waco Area)

There are no private K-12 schools directly within the University neighborhood boundaries. Nearby private options in greater Waco include:

  • Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School (PK–12) — Waco
  • Vanguard College Preparatory School (6–12) — Waco; 16+ AP courses; teacher-to-student ratio ~1:12
  • Live Oak Classical School (PK–12) — Waco; classical Christian education
  • St. Paul's Episcopal School (PK–6) — Waco
  • Eagle Christian Academy (PK–12) — Waco

Homeschooling Resources

Sources: Waco ISD (wacoisd.org), Texas Education Agency (tea.texas.gov), txschools.gov, Niche.com, GreatSchools.org, SchoolDigger, Texas Tribune Schools Database, KWTX, Waco Tribune-Herald.