WACO High School

WACO High School, a close-knit four-year high school in Wayland, Iowa, one of the schools within WACO Comm School District, caters to 241 students, covering grades 7 through 12. Enrollment runs roughly 49% below the state mean of about 468.

WACO High School is one of 2 schools operated by WACO Comm School District, a district that educates 558 students overall.

In terms of who attends, WACO High School reports that nearly all students (89%) are White. Other groups include 7% Hispanic. That composition is broadly in line with Henry County as a whole.

In terms of school funding signals, Staff filings list 22 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 11.0:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 17.3:1, putting WACO High School tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 41% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy.

With demographic context factored in, WACO High School sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 71.6%; this one delivers 68.0%.

In the surrounding community, community-level numbers for Henry County indicate median household earnings sit near $67,436, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. WACO High School is one of 13 public schools in Henry County (combined enrollment of about 3,230 students).

WACO Elementary School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 7.5 miles from this campus. Within ten miles, there are 3 other public schools, a sparser pattern than typical urban areas. On composite proficiency, WACO High School comes 2nd of 7 in the immediate cluster, higher than the nearby-schools average of 63.7%.

WACO High School operates from an outlying location.

Trend over the last 7 years. Over the past 7-year window, the student count increased 17%: 206 students in 2018 compared to 241 in 2025.

On the community side, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.