Waxahachie ISD Schools 2026: The District Jumped From a C to a B
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Book a ConsultationWaxahachie ISD Campuses at a Glance
Scroll horizontally to see all columns
| School | Level | TEA Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waxahachie Global High School | High (9-12) | A (96) | Magnet, application required |
| Waxahachie HS of Choice | High (10-12) | A (94) | Alternative, small enrollment |
| Ray Elementary | Elem (K-5) | B (86) | Highest-scoring elementary |
| Waxahachie High School | High (9-12) | B (85) | Main campus, rose from a C this year |
| Simpson Elementary | Elem (K-5) | B (85) | 568 students |
| Coleman Junior High | Middle (6-8) | B (85) | Top-rated junior high |
| Wilemon STEAM Academy | Elem (K-5) | B (84) | STEAM focus |
Top 7 by TEA score. Ratings: TEA 2025-26 Accountability (released Aug 2026). Full list, including the lower-rated campuses, is in the comparison tool below.
Compare Waxahachie ISD Campuses
Pick a level, then two campuses. All data from TEA 2025-26 Accountability.
Data: TEA 2025-26 Accountability Ratings (released Aug 2026). Enrollment: TEA 2025-26.
Waxahachie High Schools
Waxahachie High School, the main comprehensive campus, climbed from a C to a B (score 85) in 2025-26. The district's application-based magnet, Waxahachie Global High School, earned an A (96), and the small alternative HS of Choice also rated an A (94).
- Waxahachie Global High School: A-rated, score 96, 363 students. An application-based magnet, and the top-scoring campus in the district.
- Waxahachie High School: B-rated, score 85, about 3,000 students. The main zoned high school, up from a C (77) the prior year.
- Waxahachie HS of Choice: A-rated, score 94. A small alternative campus (grades 10-12) for students who need a different path.
Global High is the standout, but it requires an application, so most Waxahachie students attend the main high school. That campus rising from a C to a B is the more meaningful change for the typical buyer, because it is the zoned option for most of the city.
Junior High and Elementary Schools
Junior Highs (Grades 6-8)
- Coleman Junior High: B rating, score 85, 778 students. The top-rated of the three.
- Howard Junior High: C rating, score 77, 972 students.
- Finley Junior High: C rating, score 74, 845 students.
Elementary Schools
This is where the district's range shows. Five elementaries earned a B, three earned a C, and three campuses rated a D or F. Here is the honest breakdown by TEA score.
- Ray Elementary: B (86) · Simpson: B (85) · Wilemon STEAM Academy: B (84) · Shackelford: B (83) · Turner Prekindergarten Academy: B (83)
- Wedgeworth: C (78) · Felty: C (77) · Dunaway: C (73)
- Northside: D (69) · Marvin Biomedical Academy: D (62)
- Clift Elementary: F (59)
The three D and F campuses are the reason the zone matters in Waxahachie. It is a district on the way up, with the high schools and top elementaries clearly strong, and a group of campuses still working to catch up. If a specific home zones to one of the lower-rated elementaries, weigh that against the price and the district's trajectory.
The District Rating, and What It Means
Waxahachie ISD earned a B at score 80 in the TEA 2025-26 ratings, up a full letter grade from a C (76) the prior year. Its domain scores show where the work remains: Student Achievement at a C (79), School Progress at a C (73), and Closing the Gaps at a B (81).
2025-26 Ratings Snapshot
- High schools: 2 A (Global magnet, HS of Choice) + 1 B (Waxahachie HS, up from C)
- Junior highs: 1 B (Coleman) + 2 C
- Elementary: 5 B + 3 C + 2 D + 1 F
- District total: 2 A, 7 B, 5 C, 2 D, 1 F across 17 rated campuses
Waxahachie is the county seat of Ellis County and serves about 11,092 students. Roughly 49% are economically disadvantaged, higher than neighboring Midlothian, which is part of why the district's climb from a C to a B stands out.
Why Families Choose Waxahachie
Waxahachie sits about 30 miles south of Dallas, the county seat of Ellis County. It is known as the "Gingerbread City" for its Victorian architecture, with five National Register Historic Districts and a walkable downtown square. Families weighing Waxahachie usually name a few things:
- Affordable entry into Ellis County. Waxahachie tends to price below Midlothian, which puts historic character and newer subdivisions within reach for more budgets.
- A district that is improving. The C-to-B jump and A-rated high schools give the district momentum most buyers want to see.
- Small-town character with real events. The Scarborough Renaissance Festival has run near Waxahachie since 1981, and the annual Gingerbread Trail home tour draws visitors to the historic districts.
The tradeoffs are the commute (30 miles to Dallas, 35 to 50 minutes) and the campus spread.
Looking at Waxahachie homes?
Silvia works Waxahachie and the surrounding Ellis County markets. She can walk you through the zones that match the schools and budget you already have in mind.
Book a ConsultationWaxahachie ISD vs. Nearby Districts
Ellis County families often compare Waxahachie with Midlothian and, a bit further north, Mansfield. Here is the honest 2025-26 district picture.
| District | 2025-26 TEA Rating | Students | A-Rated High Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waxahachie ISD | B (80) | 11,092 | 2 (Global magnet + HS of Choice) |
| Midlothian ISD | B (89) | 11,537 | 2 of 2 |
| Mansfield ISD | B (87) | 34,733 | 8 of 8 |
Ratings sourced from TEA 2025-26 Academic Accountability (released Aug 2026). Cross-check with txschools.gov before committing.
Midlothian and Mansfield edge Waxahachie on district score and on the breadth of A-rated campuses. Waxahachie's draw is value and momentum: a lower price of entry, historic character, and a district that just moved up a full letter grade. For a wider look, see South DFW Suburbs Compared.
A Local Realtor's Perspective
“Waxahachie is the value play in Ellis County, and the district moving from a C to a B this year helps that story. I am upfront with buyers: the high schools and top elementaries are strong, but a few campuses still rate low, so we check the exact zone before we write. Get the school right and Waxahachie gives you a lot of house and a lot of character for the money.”
Silvia Poulin
Modern Feather Realty Group
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waxahachie ISD a good school district?
Waxahachie ISD earned a B (score 80) from TEA in 2025-26, up a full letter grade from a C. Both magnet and alternative high schools are A-rated, the main Waxahachie High rose to a B, and a few elementaries still rate a D or F, so the specific campus matters.
Did Waxahachie ISD improve this year?
Yes. The district rose from a C (76) in 2024-25 to a B (80) in the TEA 2025-26 ratings, a full letter grade. Waxahachie High School also climbed from a C (77) to a B (85). Closing the Gaps, one of TEA's three domains, reached a B (81).
What is the best high school in Waxahachie ISD?
By TEA 2025-26 score, Waxahachie Global High School is the top campus at A (96). It is an application-based magnet. Among zoned options, the main Waxahachie High School earned a B (85), up from a C the prior year.
Which Waxahachie schools are lowest-rated?
In the TEA 2025-26 ratings, three elementaries rated below a C: Northside (D, 69), Marvin Biomedical Academy (D, 62), and Clift Elementary (F, 59). If a home zones to one of these campuses, weigh that against price and the district's upward trajectory.
What county is Waxahachie, TX in?
Waxahachie is the county seat of Ellis County, about 30 miles south of Dallas.
How do I find which Waxahachie ISD school my address is zoned for?
Use the attendance-zone lookup on the Waxahachie ISD website (wisd.org) to see your zoned elementary, junior high, and high school. Because the campus range is wide, always confirm the zoned elementary before buying.
Questions about a specific Waxahachie home or zone? Talk to Silvia.
Related Reading
Midlothian ISD Schools Guide
A B district (89) where both high schools are A-rated. Full campus ratings.
Mansfield ISD Schools Guide
All 8 high schools A-rated. Full campus ratings and attendance zones.
South DFW Suburbs Compared
Mansfield, Midlothian, Waxahachie, Cedar Hill, Burleson side by side.
DFW Housing Market
Where prices, inventory, and rates stand across DFW.
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