schoolsbycounty

McLennan County Schools & Education

School Score

42/100

Percentile-style score

Score Band

Midrange Signal

Graduation Rate

90.7%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

90.7%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 91.6%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,578

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,498

School Score

42/100

Percentile-style score

State avg 56/100

State Score Position

#213

of 253 counties by score

Education Data Brief: McLennan County

Measured School Summary

McLennan County performs at an average level with a school score of 42/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.7%.

Funding Context

At $6,578 per pupil, McLennan County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 26% below the Texas average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 12% lower than the state norm.

School Data Brief

How to read McLennan County before comparing districts

County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.

Local context that changes the interpretation

113 public schools and 20 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.

Overall screen

42/100

Mixed county signal. Ranks #213 of 253 Texas counties with school score data.

Completion

90.7%

0.9 pts below the state average

Funding context

$6,578

$920 below the state average

School coverage

113

20 districts represented in the county school list.

Start with measured county context

This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.

Check the local school mix

McLennan County has 113 public schools across 20 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.

Verify local rules

Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.

Parent decision brief

What McLennan County school data means before you move

County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.

Large multi-district county

McLennan County has many school records across many districts. County averages are only the opening screen; neighborhood-level assignment and grade-band fit matter more here.

State position

#213

of 253 Texas counties with school score data. The county score is 14 points below the state average.

Data confidence

Usable

3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.

K-12 continuity check

These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.

WACO ISD

Elementary to high school visible

13,824 students

Elementary 15Middle 4High 5Other 1

25 listed schools in this county slice.

MIDWAY ISD

Elementary to high school visible

8,739 students

Elementary 8Middle 2High 1Other 1

12 listed schools in this county slice.

LA VEGA ISD

Elementary to high school visible

3,017 students

Elementary 2Middle 2High 1Other 0

5 listed schools in this county slice.

CHINA SPRING ISD

Elementary to high school visible

3,010 students

Elementary 2Middle 2High 2Other 0

6 listed schools in this county slice.

District reality check

WACO ISD is the largest listed district slice, with 25 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.

What the data cannot tell you

NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.

Questions to ask before choosing an address

Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in McLennan County?

Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different McLennan County district systems?

What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?

Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?

Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?

Education Overview

About Schools in McLennan County, Texas

This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.

A Vast and Diverse Education Network

McLennan County boasts a massive network of 113 public schools across 20 districts, serving nearly 46,000 students. The infrastructure includes 49 elementary schools, 33 high schools, and a significant number of charter and alternative options.

Extensive Variety and Regional Results

The county's 90.7% graduation rate sits just below the Texas state average of 91.6%. While per-pupil spending of $6,578 is lower than the state benchmark, the county maintains a diverse array of 13 charter campuses and 20 alternative schools.

Major Districts in Waco and Midway

Waco ISD is the largest district with 13,824 students, followed by Midway ISD with 8,739 students. Charter schools make up 11.5% of the total school count, offering significant educational choice for local families.

From City Centers to Rural Plains

This county features the most diverse locales, with 46 city schools, 18 suburban schools, and 45 rural campuses. Midway High School is the largest campus with 2,648 students, which is significantly larger than the county average of 407.

School Overview

Total Schools

113

in McLennan County

Reported Enrollment

45,997

113 schools reporting

School Districts

20

districts

Charter Schools

13

12% of total

School Level Breakdown

Elementary49
Middle22
High33
Other9

20 School Districts in McLennan County

WACO ISD

Guide
25 schools
13,824 students
Open district guide

MIDWAY ISD

Guide
12 schools
8,739 students
Open district guide

LA VEGA ISD

5 schools
3,017 students

CHINA SPRING ISD

6 schools
3,010 students

ROBINSON ISD

6 schools
2,401 students

CONNALLY ISD

6 schools
2,332 students

LORENA ISD

5 schools
1,807 students

MCGREGOR ISD

5 schools
1,503 students

WEST ISD

4 schools
1,265 students

RAPOPORT ACADEMY PUBLIC SCHOOL

3 schools
859 students

113 Public Schools in McLennan County

Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 6 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

Level

Showing 20 of 113 matching schools

MIDWAY H S

MIDWAY ISD

WACO, 76712 / City: Midsize

Profile9–12High2,648 students

WACO H S

WACO ISD

WACO, 76710 / City: Midsize

Profile9–12High2,011 students

UNIVERSITY H S

WACO ISD

WACO, 76706 / City: Midsize

Profile9–12High1,678 students

MIDWAY MIDDLE

MIDWAY ISD

HEWITT, 76643 / Suburb: Midsize

Profile6–8Middle1,075 students

TENNYSON MIDDLE

WACO ISD

WACO, 76710 / City: Midsize

Profile6–8Middle999 students

CHINA SPRING H S

CHINA SPRING ISD

CHINA SPRING, 76633 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High948 students

RIVER VALLEY MIDDLE

MIDWAY ISD

MCGREGOR, 76657 / City: Midsize

Record6–8Middle931 students

LA VEGA H S

LA VEGA ISD

WACO, 76705 / Suburb: Midsize

Record9–12High882 students

CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE

WACO ISD

WACO, 76706 / City: Midsize

Record6–8Middle840 students

BELL'S HILL EL

WACO ISD

WACO, 76706 / City: Midsize

RecordPK–5Primary760 students

LAKE AIR MONTESSORI SCHOOL

WACO ISD

WACO, 76710 / City: Midsize

RecordPK–8Primary697 students

ROBINSON H S

ROBINSON ISD

ROBINSON, 76706 / Suburb: Midsize

Record9–12High696 students

CHINA SPRING EL

CHINA SPRING ISD

CHINA SPRING, 76633 / Rural: Fringe

Record2–4Primary677 students

LA VEGA EL

LA VEGA ISD

WACO, 76705 / Suburb: Midsize

Record1–3Primary659 students

HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - WACO

HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - NORTH TEXAS

BEVERLY HILLS, 76711 / Suburb: Midsize

Record6–12Charter611 students

PARK HILL EL

MIDWAY ISD

HEWITT, 76643 / Suburb: Midsize

RecordPK–5Primary611 students

DEAN HIGHLAND EL

WACO ISD

WACO, 76707 / City: Midsize

RecordPK–5Primary598 students

CONNALLY HIGH SCHOOL

CONNALLY ISD

WACO, 76705 / Suburb: Midsize

Record9–12High596 students

SOUTH BOSQUE EL

MIDWAY ISD

WACO, 76712 / Suburb: Midsize

RecordPK–5Primary595 students

LA VEGA INT H P MILES CAMPUS

LA VEGA ISD

WACO, 76705 / Suburb: Midsize

Record4–6Middle592 students

Education Funding Detail

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,578

State avg $7,498

Compare Nearby Counties

Review McLennan County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.

Open Compare

Browse Public Schools

See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.

View Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Texas counties have the highest graduation rates?
Moore County (98.5%), Rockwall County (98.5%), and Titus County (97.8%) currently lead Texas among counties with available NCES four-year adjusted cohort graduation-rate data. This answer is generated from the same dataset used in the county table and can change when federal data refreshes.
What is per-pupil spending like in Texas?
Across Texas counties with available NCES district-finance data, average per-pupil spending is $7,498. The highest current county values are Glasscock County ($12,819), Borden County ($12,654), and King County ($12,630). Compare counties in the table before treating the statewide average as representative of a local district.
How should I read the school score in McLennan County?
McLennan County has a school score of 42/100, which is a midrange measured signal in this county-level index. This score is calculated from available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance data, with school-level records shown separately below.
What is the graduation rate in McLennan County?
The high school graduation rate in McLennan County is 90.7%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does McLennan County spend per student?
McLennan County spends $6,578 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. Current operating spending per fall enrollment, including instruction, support services, administration, transportation, and operations. It excludes capital outlays and debt service in the SchoolsByCounty methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in McLennan County, Texas — FAQ

What does the school system look like in McLennan County, Texas?

McLennan County boasts a massive network of 113 public schools across 20 districts, serving nearly 46,000 students. The infrastructure includes 49 elementary schools, 33 high schools, and a significant number of charter and alternative options.

How do schools in McLennan County perform academically?

The county's 90.7% graduation rate sits just below the Texas state average of 91.6%. While per-pupil spending of $6,578 is lower than the state benchmark, the county maintains a diverse array of 13 charter campuses and 20 alternative schools.

What are the major school districts in McLennan County, Texas?

Waco ISD is the largest district with 13,824 students, followed by Midway ISD with 8,739 students. Charter schools make up 11.5% of the total school count, offering significant educational choice for local families.

What is the school experience like in McLennan County?

This county features the most diverse locales, with 46 city schools, 18 suburban schools, and 45 rural campuses. Midway High School is the largest campus with 2,648 students, which is significantly larger than the county average of 407.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.