High Schools in Axtell Independent School District (Isd)

The Axtell Independent School District (Isd) in Texas oversees two high schools—Axtell High School and Waco Center for Youth—serving grades 7 through 12, with a combined enrollment of 305 students and a district ranking in the 38th percentile statewide.

Axtell High School is the district’s standout, a traditional public high school with 236 students and a low student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1. It boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate for 2023-2024, and its state ranking has improved from the 65th percentile (3 stars) to the 73rd percentile (4 stars) in 2024-2025. Academically, it exceeds state averages in Biology (81.13% proficient vs. 62.04% statewide), English I Reading (70.69% vs. 51.26%), and English II Reading (66.67% vs. 56.22%). However, Algebra I remains a weakness, with only 25% proficiency compared to the state’s 47.01%. In contrast, Waco Center for Youth, a specialized school with 69 students, faces profound challenges, ranking in the bottom 2% of Texas high schools (0 stars). Its proficiency rates are in the single digits for most subjects—0% in Algebra I, Biology, and math—with U.S. History being its highest at 27.27%, still far below the state average of 67.94%.

A key takeaway is the spending paradox: Waco Center for Youth spends $27,156 per student—$3,765 more than Axtell High School’s $23,391—yet achieves dramatically worse outcomes, likely due to the specialized needs of its student population. For parents, Axtell High School offers a strong, improving academic environment with standout STEM and literacy programs, while Waco Center for Youth serves a unique, high-need group and may not reflect a typical high school experience. The district’s overall performance is heavily weighted by Axtell’s success.