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Waco Center For Youth

Q: Is Waco Center For Youth a good school?

Waco Center For Youth ranks in the bottom 11.5% of Texas high schools.

Q: How many students attend Waco Center For Youth?

In the 2024-25 school year, 69 students attended Waco Center For Youth.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Waco Center For Youth?

Students at Waco Center For Youth are 62% White, 17% Hispanic, 16% African American, 4% Two or more races.

Public Grades 7-12

1777^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,009 Texas High Schools

Better than 12% of Texas high schools

Summary

Waco Center For Youth in Waco, TX, is a small, specialized high school serving grades 7 through 12 with just 69 students, part of the Axtell Independent School District (Isd).

This school is designed for students with specific behavioral, emotional, or academic needs, which explains its unique profile. It spends an exceptionally high $27,156 per student—more than double the spending at nearby Bosqueville High School ($12,665) and significantly more than Paul And Jane Meyer Public High School ($17,037). This investment supports a very low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, far lower than Waco High School (13.4:1) or University High School (14.1:1). While overall test scores are low and volatile—typical for schools serving highly at-risk populations—the school shows a remarkable strength with its Special Education students, who ranked in the 53rd percentile statewide in 2025-2026, earning a 3-star rating. This is a standout achievement compared to other nearby specialized schools like Challenge Academy (1st percentile) and Methodist Children's Home (8th percentile).

For parents, this school is best understood as a therapeutic or alternative campus focused on stabilizing students and addressing non-academic barriers to learning, rather than a traditional academic institution. The high spending and small classes reflect the intensive support needed, and the school’s success with Special Education students is a clear strength. While subjects like U.S. History show occasional bright spots (57% proficiency in 2025-2026, close to the state average of 70%), the school’s mission is about more than test scores—it’s about providing a structured, individualized environment for students who need it most.

Students ?

9.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,404

Per pupil spending ?

47.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3501 N 19th St
Waco, TX 76708-0117

(254) 745-5339

District: Axtell Independent School District (Isd)

Racial breakdown:

White:

62.3%

Hispanic:

17.4%

African American:

15.9%

See top rated Texas high schools

Compare Waco Center For Youth to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 15th percentile in 2016 → 12th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Texas average (17% vs 56% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (12th percentile)

!Algebra I scores 54 pts below the Texas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school17%

District avg48%

Texas avg56%

Middle school

2,317^th of 2,335

Texas public middle schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Texas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

1,777^th of 2,009

Texas public high schools ?

Bottom 12%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 15% (2016) to bottom 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2High Schools in the Axtell Independent School District (Isd)

586^th of 951Axtell Independent School District (Isd) among Texas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	3.2	2317 of 2335	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	3.9	2320 of 2344	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	4.7	2346 of 2372	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	2.8	2323 of 2330	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	3.8	2239 of 2254	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	4.7	2245 of 2252	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	2.4	2170 of 2193	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	3.1	2063 of 2080	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	8.8	1964 of 2027	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	6.4	1919 of 1987	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	10.0	1923 of 2043	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	1.8	1953 of 1987	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	0.7	1948 of 1973	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	7.3	1873 of 1951	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	3.2	1851 of 1895	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	5.6	1763 of 1803	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	9.5	1703 of 1763	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	0.4	1702 of 1718	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	8.7	2161 of 2182	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	10.7	2108 of 2118	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	8.8	2039 of 2058	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.4	1983 of 2008	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	2.9	2238 of 2240	0.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	4.6	2150 of 2151	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	4.4	2026 of 2047	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	3.1	1994 of 2008	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	2.8	2136 of 2141	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	3.3	2241 of 2253	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	3.3	2243 of 2251	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	4.5	2207 of 2220	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	5.4	2168 of 2172	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	2.8	2062 of 2073	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	3.9	2022 of 2039	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	5.4	2223 of 2253	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	2.7	2234 of 2245	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	2.8	2227 of 2228	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	2.3	2062 of 2069	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	4.3	2007 of 2030	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	19.7	1877 of 1956	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	15.4	1806 of 1815	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	24.7	1559 of 1757	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	20.7	1681 of 1712	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	24.0	1446 of 1626	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.4	1188 of 1597	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	1.9	1727 of 1731	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	1.1	1746 of 1749	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	1.5	1699 of 1700	0.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	2.0	1675 of 1684	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	1.8	1668 of 1673	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	11.2	1777 of 2009	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	2.8	1928 of 1974	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.7	1675 of 1990	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	11.9	1721 of 1961	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.6	1567 of 1876	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	15.2	1603 of 1861	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	13.2	1622 of 1857	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.7	1428 of 1797	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	13.0	1543 of 1777	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	21.5	1490 of 1762	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	15.4	1534 of 1743	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	14.5	1560 of 1734	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	12.1	1506 of 1652	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	9.7	1494 of 1603	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	26.8	1469 of 1672	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	6.4	1512 of 1568	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	10.3	1453 of 1539	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	9.3	1422 of 1510	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	41.3	1071 of 1497	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	27.5	1200 of 1430	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	22.2	1244 of 1429	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	33.8	1145 of 1427	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2019	11.1	936 of 1024	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.9	897 of 1013	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	35.5	1151 of 1837	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.7	1034 of 1829	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	30.8	1347 of 1810	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	44.5	854 of 1784	52.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	16.0	1656 of 1936	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	5.0	1775 of 1891	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.1	1586 of 1841	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	10.1	1650 of 1815	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	19.1	1537 of 1798	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	36.4	1180 of 1781	33.7%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2023	4.8	1733 of 1820	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	6.0	1669 of 1762	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	14.7	1701 of 1937	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.2	1659 of 1897	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	12.3	1683 of 1847	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	23.1	1492 of 1848	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	16.4	1624 of 1818	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.8	1338 of 1794	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	5.4	1835 of 1954	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.4	1686 of 1913	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	4.9	1779 of 1853	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	14.4	1610 of 1840	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	7.2	1720 of 1824	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.2	1608 of 1803	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	44.6	749 of 1581	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	38.2	848 of 1478	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	47.7	585 of 1418	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.5	557 of 1382	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.7	483 of 1357	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	81.9	121 of 1347	91.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	6.3	1466 of 1584	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.6	1480 of 1576	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	1.8	1491 of 1525	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	5.1	1435 of 1510	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	7.7	1441 of 1526	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	15.3	1365 of 1539	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Special Education (2026)4th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)1st percentile~ school

At Risk (2022)1st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)1st percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)<1st percentile~ school

White (2026)<1st percentile~ school

Female (2026)<1st percentile~ school

High school

Special Education (2026)53rd percentile+41 vs school

At Risk (2022)37th percentile+21 vs school

Female (2026)14th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)12th percentile~ school

African American (2019)9th percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)7th percentile-4 vs school

Male (2026)6th percentile-5 vs school

Hispanic (2023)5th percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

U.S. History57%-13 vs state

English II Reading36%-24 vs state

Biology28%-43 vs state

English I Reading17%-39 vs state

Reading9%-47 vs state

Mathematics7%-41 vs state

Social Studies0%-32 vs state

Algebra I0%-54 vs state

★

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Schools Near Waco Center For Youth

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAAR EOC Algebra I (2026)	STAAR EOC Biology (2026)	STAAR EOC English I Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC English II Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC U.S. History (2026)	STAAR Reading (2026)			STAAR Mathematics (2026)			STAAR Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR EOC Algebra I End of Course	STAAR EOC Biology End of Course	STAAR EOC English I Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC English II Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC U.S. History End of Course	STAAR Reading 6th Grade	STAAR Reading 7th Grade	STAAR Reading 8th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
Waco Center For Youth	Public	7-12	3501 N 19th St	Waco	76708	McLennan County	Axtell Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(254) 745-5339	69	7	9.8	47.8%	43 (62.3%)	11 (15.9%)	12 (17.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.3%)	11.2	1777^th of 2009 public high schools	11.5%		2.8	1928^th of 1974 public high schools	2.3%	151	0.0	27.8	16.7	36.4	57.1		20.0	5.9			6.7	0.0	$15,404
Challenge Academy	Public	7-12	2015 Alexander Ave	Waco	76708	McLennan County	Waco Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(254) 754-0803	52	4	13.4	92.3%	3 (5.8%)	22 (42.3%)	27 (51.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4.6	1895^th of 2009 public high schools	5.7%		2.1	1959^th of 1974 public high schools	0.8%	64	0.0	23.5	14.3	26.3	20.0		0.0			0.0			$19,933
Premier H S Of Waco	Public, Charter	9-12	4720 N 19th St	Waco	76708	McLennan County	Premier High Schools	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(254) 752-0441	128	6	20.1	84.4%	31 (24.2%)	25 (19.5%)	70 (54.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.6%)	16.5	1701^st of 2009 public high schools	15.3%		14.6	1701^st of 1974 public high schools	13.8%		19.1	20.0	15.4	23.3	58.1								$8,276
Methodist Children's Home	Public, Charter	6-12	1111 Herring Ave	Waco	76708	McLennan County	University Of Texas University Charter School	Yes	No	(n/a)	No	(254) 498-8738	96	11	8.7		28 (29.2%)	31 (32.3%)	33 (34.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.1%)	2 (2.1%)	7	1840^th of 2009 public high schools	8.4%		9.8	1789^th of 1974 public high schools	9.4%	51	10.5	21.4	18.8	33.3	31.8	40.0	25.0	30.8		0.0	8.3	0.0	$13,140
Waco High School	Public	9-12	2020 N 42nd St	Waco	76710	McLennan County	Waco Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(254) 776-1150	1,885	140	13.4	83.7%	156 (8.3%)	559 (29.7%)	1,121 (59.5%)	7 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (2.1%)	13.7	1748^th of 2009 public high schools	13.0%		14.6	1702^nd of 1974 public high schools	13.8%	46	27.4	39.4	27.5	32.4	47.6								$10,225
Paul And Jane Meyer Public High School	Public, Charter	9-12	1020 Elm Ave Bld 500	Waco	76704	McLennan County	Rapoport Academy Public School	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(254) 754-2288	233	26	9.0	56.2%	48 (20.6%)	53 (22.7%)	122 (52.4%)	3 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.0%)	62.3	617^th of 2009 public high schools	69.3%		63.9	576^th of 1974 public high schools	70.8%	41	54.4	78.3	68.1	66.0	69.8								$16,912
Bosqueville High School	Public	9-12	7636 Rock Creek Rd	Waco	76708	McLennan County	Bosqueville Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(254) 757-3113	227	19	11.8	29.1%	157 (69.2%)	7 (3.1%)	56 (24.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.6%)	50.7	927^th of 2009 public high schools	53.9%		67.3	488^th of 1974 public high schools	75.3%	439	7.1	58.6	60.3	70.0	81.5								$13,273
Harmony School Of Innovation - Waco	Public, Charter	6-12	1100 S Valley Mills Dr	Beverly Hills	76711	McLennan County	Harmony Public Schools - North Texas	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(254) 235-0321	614	38	16.1	86.2%	77 (12.5%)	55 (9.0%)	461 (75.1%)	9 (1.5%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.5%)	42.3	1182^nd of 2009 public high schools	41.2%		33.8	1301^st of 1974 public high schools	34.1%	119	46.0	63.2	48.2	53.0	71.8	30.9	31.0	42.3	31.8	2.7	44.0	9.4	$11,499
La Vega High School	Public	9-12	555 N Loop 340	Waco	76705	McLennan County	La Vega Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(254) 299-6820	881	64	13.6	88.3%	97 (11.0%)	241 (27.4%)	518 (58.8%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	20 (2.3%)	28.2	1514^th of 2009 public high schools	24.6%		21.5	1576^th of 1974 public high schools	20.2%	62	28.5	56.9	46.3	41.0	58.7								$10,069
University High School	Public	9-12	3201 S New Rd	Waco	76706	McLennan County	Waco Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(254) 756-1843	1,752	123	14.1	83.9%	85 (4.9%)	393 (22.4%)	1,243 (70.9%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	24 (1.4%)	21	1636^th of 2009 public high schools	18.6%		24.2	1535^th of 1974 public high schools	22.2%	101	18.1	42.1	33.5	44.3	60.2								$9,521

Frequently Asked Questions about Waco Center For Youth

What is the racial makeup of Waco Center For Youth?

Students at Waco Center For Youth are 62% White, 17% Hispanic, 16% African American, 4% Two or more races.

Is Waco Center For Youth a good school?

Waco Center For Youth ranks in the bottom 11.5% of Texas high schools.

How many students attend Waco Center For Youth?

In the 2024-25 school year, 69 students attended Waco Center For Youth.

What district is Waco Center For Youth in?

Axtell Independent School District (Isd)

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Latest Texas data All new data »

2025–26 STAAR, STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 12, 2026

2021–22 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 10, 2026

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesSep 17, 2025

2024–25 STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 23, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.