Original Research by School Decision on Connally High School
Connally High School sits in the north part of Waco as a regular public high school serving grades nine through twelve. The school enrolls a small student body with a notably high share of students from low-income households, and the student population is split nearly evenly between Black and Hispanic students, with a smaller white enrollment. The vast majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
On the most recent state assessments, the school's results are mixed across subject areas. In mathematics and science, students show stronger proficiency in approaching and meeting grade-level standards. English language arts proficiency is notably lower, with most students reaching the "approaches" level but far fewer advancing to "meets" or "master." Social studies shows solid foundational performance but very low mastery rates. Overall, the school's proficiency rates are below the midpoint among districts in McLennan County.
Graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, and detailed program offerings were not available in the data, so parents may want to inquire directly with the school about completion pathways, student attendance patterns, and course breadth, including any dual-credit, career, or advanced placement options the school provides. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations were also not reported.
The broader context matters here. Connally ISD, the school's parent district, is currently under Texas Education Agency control following accountability failures at two other campuses. The state installed a conservator and appointed a board of managers in early 2026, replacing the elected board. This intervention signals ongoing academic instability at the district level, though the district has implemented a uniform curriculum districtwide since 2023 and increased focus on attendance and school culture as part of a turnaround effort. The TEA will re-evaluate the district in roughly a year to decide whether to continue the intervention.
At the elementary level, the district is consolidating schools due to declining enrollment, closing an aging elementary building and moving students elsewhere. These moves reflect a shrinking district footprint and ongoing structural challenges that families considering any Connally school should understand.
The school itself serves a high-poverty population in a community where home values are below state and national averages, and renters make up a substantial share of the population. Waco's downtown is undergoing large-scale redevelopment with mixed-use projects and housing, though the impact on neighborhoods near the school is not yet clear from available data.
For a parent evaluating Connally High School, the key questions would be: what is the school's completion rate and what pathways does it offer after graduation; how does it support students in English language arts, where proficiency rates lag; and what changes in school or classroom practice are underway as part of the district's turnaround effort. The school serves a student population with substantial economic need, and families should understand both the academic baseline and the support systems in place.
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