This article was updated on 4/6/26 with a statement from Waco ISD.
Waco Independent School District has approved an agreement with a Colorado-based charter school operator to manage two underperforming elementary schools.
School board members reached a decision during a special meeting held Monday to approve a three-year contract with the nonprofit charter school operator Third Future. Third Future will manage the Dean Highland Elementary and South Waco Elementary campuses in an effort to avoid a state takeover.
Third Future, according to their website, is a “proven school turnaround expert and education improvement partner” and currently serves over 6,000 kids across Colorado, Texas, and Louisiana.
Established in 2016, the organization says they are dedicated to students through the use of personalized learning and “focus on high quality instruction.”
According to KXXV, the district is expecting to spend about $11.7 million annually, based on student enrollment.
The two campuses will also see changes in curriculum and school days and will have a different school calendar from the district.
Third Future will hire teachers for the schools, which includes the opportunity to hire current district teachers. Teachers who are not hired will still remain employed with Waco ISD.
Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Spicer told KCEN-TV that despite the operational change, the schools will remain part of the district.
“Our priority is, and always will be, the success and well-being of our students,” said Spicer told Texas Scorecard. “By partnering with Third Future Schools, we are taking decisive action to provide our South Waco and Dean Highland families with a high-performance environment tailored to closing academic gaps quickly. This partnership allows us to keep these schools as part of the Waco ISD family while utilizing a proven model for rapid turnaround.”
Both South Waco Elementary and Dean Highland Elementary received F academic accountability ratings in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Overall accountability ratings are based on performance on state standardized tests, graduation rates, and readiness outcomes. The ratings also examine student achievement, school progress, and whether campuses are closing achievement gaps among different groups of students.
According to the district, “Waco ISD is currently awaiting final approval from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to formalize the contract.”
The change in campus leadership is set to begin fall 2026. Updates and meetings for parents regarding the change are expected over the summer.
Updates regarding the transition can be found at www.wacoisd.org.
