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GreatSchools Rating

University High School

Public | PK, 9-12 | 1438 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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4 reviews of this school


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Posted January 30, 2012

I think i agree with some of the comments in the top. This school focuses more in graduating students than teching them. I think is oe of the worst schools in the districts of Waco, the education levels are really low and most of the students barely graduate. The couselors dont even help people and some of the teachers dont even care about their students. If you are moving to waco wih kids try to move to the west side of waco (woodway and hewitt) to the Midway school district Its the #1 district in Waco. If people tell you its expensive it is a lie you can always find something pretty and affordable. Think about the future of your kids.


Posted May 27, 2008

Unless you take athens classes you are pretty much out of luck in the learning department, and even still when you do take those Athens and AP classes you are still well behind other schools in TEXAS, and that is in comparison to other schools regular Academic classes. I felt like a genius when I came to University from another school in Plano, I was so far ahead I ended up tutoring a lot of the failing Juniors and Seniors (I WAS A SOPHOMORE)! I went from working hard for a grade in an Academic class, to not even trying for all A's in AP classes....Sorry to say this but WACOISD needs to step the game up!
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 14, 2005

At university High there are many opportunities for extracurricular activities, but not enough focus on preparing students for higher education. The level of education is very low compared to other school districts. University focuses way too much on getting the student graduated rather than teaching the student. There is some parent involvement, but not enough.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 1, 2005

Both my daughters had always been in Catholic School, so I was a bit apprehensive about my youngest daughter attending public school her freshman year. The faculty and staff at University High School have been great to my daughter. They welcomed her with open arms. I have always been able to contact her instructors by email and have always gotten a response. She has had the opportunity to take dual credit classes, advanced placement classes and athens classes. She has done very well and has made some great friends. She enjoys the pride the school takes in the its accomplishments. Mr. Correa, the principal has been a great asset to the school. He takes great pride in the school and students.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 70% in 2011.

336 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
43%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
52%

2008

 
 
40%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

340 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
81%

2008

 
 
76%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 91% in 2011.

342 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
77%
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2011.

331 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
48%

2008

 
 
47%
Science

The state average for Science was 76% in 2011.

327 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
51%

2008

 
 
49%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 93% in 2011.

335 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
89%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 95% in 2011.

217 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
83%
Math

The state average for Math was 90% in 2011.

210 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
87%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
68%

2008

 
 
62%
Science

The state average for Science was 91% in 2011.

211 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
76%

2008

 
 
63%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 99% in 2011.

212 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
96%

2008

 
 
93%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students43%
Female44%
Male41%
Black or African American41%
Asiann/a
Hispanic44%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White46%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Not economically disadvantaged57%
Special education0%
Not special education45%
Limited English proficient (LEP)35%
Proficient in English43%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant43%
Gifted/talented76%

Reading

All Students77%
Female83%
Male72%
Black or African American74%
Asiann/a
Hispanic78%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged75%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special education36%
Not special education80%
Limited English proficient (LEP)57%
Proficient in English78%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant77%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

All Students86%
Female93%
Male78%
Black or African American84%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Special education47%
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)35%
Proficient in English90%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant86%
Gifted/talented100%

Math

All Students50%
Female47%
Male55%
Black or African American34%
Asiann/a
Hispanic55%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White60%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Not economically disadvantaged55%
Special education0%
Not special education52%
Limited English proficient (LEP)33%
Proficient in English52%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant50%
Gifted/talented87%

Science

All Students50%
Female49%
Male52%
Black or African American36%
Asiann/a
Hispanic53%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White80%
Economically disadvantaged48%
Not economically disadvantaged65%
Special education0%
Not special education51%
Limited English proficient (LEP)19%
Proficient in English52%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant50%
Gifted/talented97%

Social Studies

All Students91%
Female92%
Male90%
Black or African American84%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special education57%
Not special education92%
Limited English proficient (LEP)81%
Proficient in English91%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant91%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

All Students91%
Female92%
Male91%
Black or African American90%
Asiann/a
Hispanic92%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White86%
Economically disadvantaged91%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Special education83%
Not special education92%
Limited English proficient (LEP)54%
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant91%
Gifted/talented100%

Math

All Students87%
Female89%
Male85%
Black or African American82%
Asiann/a
Hispanic88%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White83%
Economically disadvantaged85%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special education50%
Not special education89%
Limited English proficient (LEP)79%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant87%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students85%
Female80%
Male89%
Black or African American76%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged85%
Not economically disadvantaged85%
Special education67%
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)57%
Proficient in English87%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant85%
Gifted/talented100%

Social Studies

All Students100%
Female100%
Male99%
Black or African American98%
Asiann/a
Hispanic100%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged99%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education93%
Not special education100%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English99%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant100%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Academically Unacceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Academically Unacceptable".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 66% 48%
Black 27% 14%
White 7% 34%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Asian/Pacific Islander 0% 4%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 13%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 8%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 7%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 78%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 5%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 19%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 19%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 26%N/A23%
21 or more years 30%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

3201 S New Rd
Waco, TX 76706
Website: Click here
Phone: (254) 756-1843

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