Summary:
The three elementary schools in Waco, Texas (zip code 76707)—Dean Highland Elementary, Provident Heights Elementary, and West Avenue Elementary—serve grades PK through 5 within the Waco Independent School District (Isd), a district ranked in the 5th percentile statewide. All three schools face significant challenges, with over 94% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, but their academic outcomes vary widely.
Provident Heights Elementary stands out as the strongest performer, earning a 1-star rating and ranking in the 19th percentile statewide. Its average reading proficiency (38.1%) and math proficiency (31.9%) are the highest in the zip code, and its 5th-grade math score (42.86%) was over six times higher than Dean Highland Elementary's (6.74%). In contrast, Dean Highland Elementary is the most challenged school, with a 0-star rating and a 1st percentile ranking. It is the largest school (617 students) but shows declining proficiency, with 3rd-grade math dropping from 14% to 10.53% and 5th-grade math falling to 6.74%. West Avenue Elementary is inconsistent, having dropped from a 1-star to a 0-star rating; while its 5th-grade reading once reached 51.72%, its math scores remain low, and its overall ranking has declined sharply.
A key finding is the spending-performance disconnect: West Avenue Elementary spends the most per student ($13,956) and has the lowest student-teacher ratio (13.8), yet it performs worse than Provident Heights Elementary, which spends less ($12,562) and has a higher ratio (14.7). Additionally, Dean Highland Elementary is the only school with STAAR Spanish exam data, showing 0% proficiency in all subjects, indicating that English Language Learners may not be receiving adequate support. Overall, Provident Heights Elementary demonstrates that effective practices can overcome high-poverty barriers, while Dean Highland Elementary requires urgent attention due to its large, declining student population.
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