For the 2025 school year, there are 35 public schools serving 18,409 students in Black Hawk County, IA (there are 12 private schools, serving 2,153 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Black Hawk County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA are Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Black Hawk County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Black Hawk County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Black Hawk County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Grades: PK-6
| 475 students
Rank: #22.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Grades: PK-6
| 565 students
Rank: #33.
Southdale Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
627 Orchard Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2900
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2900
Grades: PK-6
| 562 students
Rank: #44.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Grades: 7-9
| 690 students
Rank: #55.
Hudson High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
245 S Washington
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4226
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4226
Grades: 7-12
| 368 students
Rank: #66.
La Porte City Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
515 Fillmore
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-3033
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-3033
Grades: PK-5
| 264 students
Rank: #77.
Holmes Junior High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
505 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2650
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2650
Grades: 7-9
| 629 students
Rank: #88.
Dunkerton Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
509 Canfield
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Grades: PK-5
| 223 students
Rank: #99.
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
136 S Washington
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-3239
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-3239
Grades: PK-6
| 526 students
Rank: #1010.
Cedar Falls High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1015 Division St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2500
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2500
Grades: 10-12
| 1,336 students
Rank: #1111.
North Cedar Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2419 Fern Ave
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2810
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2810
Grades: PK-6
| 297 students
Rank: #1212.
Orchard Hill Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3909 Rownd St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2465
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2465
Grades: PK-6
| 452 students
Rank: #1313.
Cedar Heights Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2417 Rainbow Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2855
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2855
Grades: PK-6
| 432 students
Rank: #1414.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
321 8th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Grades: PK-6
| 448 students
Rank: #1515.
Lou Henry Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
312 Rachael St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Grades: K-5
| 456 students
Rank: #1616.
Hoover Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
630 Hillcrest Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Grades: 6-8
| 831 students
Rank: #1717.
Kingsley Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
201 Sunset Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Grades: K-5
| 355 students
Rank: #1818.
Orange Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5805 Kimball Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Grades: PK-5
| 507 students
Rank: #1919.
Union High School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 Adams St
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-2697
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-2697
Grades: 9-12
| 315 students
Rank: #2020.
Poyner Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1138 Central Ave
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534
Grades: PK-5
| 360 students
Rank: #2121.
West High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
425 E Ridgeway Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Grades: 9-12
| 1,713 students
Rank: #2222.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Grades: PK-5
| 462 students
Rank: #2323.
Kittrell Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1304 Oregon St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Grades: PK-5
| 613 students
Rank: #2424.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1115 W. 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Grades: K-5
| 388 students
Rank: #2525.
Dunkerton High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
509 Canfield
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Grades: 6-12
| 208 students
Rank: #2626.
Bunger Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
157 S Roosevelt Rd
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Grades: 6-8
| 469 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
302 Cedar Bend St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Grades: PK-5
| 492 students
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1628 Washington St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Grades: PK-5
| 480 students
Rank: #2929.
East High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,013 students
Rank: #3030.
Central Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Katoski Dr
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Grades: 6-8
| 466 students
Rank: #3131.
Fred Becker Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1239 Sheldon St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Grades: PK-5
| 457 students
Rank: #3232.
Cunningham School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Grades: PK-5
| 401 students
Rank: #3333.
George Washington Carver Academy
(Math: 38% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1505 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Grades: 6-8
| 447 students
Rank: #3434.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Grades: 6-12
| 578 students
Rank: n/an/a
316 Mc Coy Rd
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2660
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2660
Grades: PK
| 131 students
Black Hawk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1700 Downing Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2150
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2150
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Cedar Falls Alternative High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
3809 Cedar Heights Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2445
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2445
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
1002 W 1st St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2439
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2439
Grades: K-12
| 44 students
Expo High School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
927 Franklin
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1913 Heath St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-5557
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-5557
Grades: PK
| 32 students
136 S Washington, 136 S Washin
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4137
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4137
Grades: 5-8
| 216 students
600 Collins Ave
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2050
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2050
Grades: K-5
| 332 students
233 Edwards St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1960
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1960
Grades: PK
| n/a students
River Hills (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
2700 Grand Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-7775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-7775
Grades: PK-12
| 117 students
200 E Arlington St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 291-4883
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 291-4883
Grades: K-5
| 79 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA include Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Black Hawk County?
35 public schools are located in Black Hawk County.
What percentage of students in Black Hawk County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Black Hawk County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Black Hawk County?
Black Hawk County public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Black Hawk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Black Hawk County include: West High School vs. East High School, Central Middle School vs. Hoover Middle School, East High School vs. West High School
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