The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in English language arts. The lowest is 5% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Dean Highland El
Dean Highland Elementary is a small school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Waco. The school enrolls students across a wide range of grades, with roughly balanced numbers across most grades and slightly larger cohorts in grades one and two. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial African American enrollment, and a small number of white and multiracial students. A very high proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating an economically disadvantaged population.
Academic performance at Dean Highland is weak across the board. In the most recent state testing, only a small share of students achieved proficiency or above in mathematics across grades three, four, and five, with proficiency dropping substantially at each grade level. In English language arts, the third and fourth grade data is limited due to very small testing numbers in the Spanish assessment version, so those results are not reported. In fifth grade English, about one-third of students met proficiency; this is the school's strongest result. Science proficiency in fifth grade was minimal. Overall, across all subjects and tested grades, the school shows very low proficiency rates: students approaching grade-level standards appear in modest numbers, while those meeting or mastering standards represent only small percentages.
The state assessment data reflects one year of results, so trend information is not yet available. The school's profile does not indicate participation rates for state testing, which parents may want to clarify with the administration.
Dean Highland is now operating under a significant structural change. In 2026, Waco ISD approved a three-year charter performance contract with an outside operator, Third Future Schools, to assume control of the school beginning in fall 2026. This decision was made after the school received multiple failing grades in the state accountability system. Under the new operator, students will experience a longer school day, an extended school year, and a revised curriculum in mathematics and English, along with different staffing. This represents a major shift in how the school functions and what daily life will look like for families.
The broader Waco Independent School District context includes a centralized, data-driven instructional model rolled out across campuses, which standardizes math and English teaching methods. The district also completed a large bond-funded school building and renovation program. Housing in the Waco area is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks, and the downtown is undergoing significant redevelopment that may affect property values and community investment over time.
For families considering Dean Highland, the immediate reality is that test performance is substantially below proficiency in core subjects, and the school is now entering a performance contract with a new operator. Parents would benefit from detailed conversations with the school and Third Future Schools about what the operational changes will mean for their child's daily experience, the specific curriculum being implemented, and the school's approach to supporting students who are currently performing below grade level.
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