For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 9,659 students in Waterloo, IA (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,232 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Waterloo, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Waterloo, IA are Lou Henry Elementary School, Hoover Middle School and Kingsley Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Waterloo, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Waterloo have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Waterloo, IA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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
Waterloo, Iowa 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
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
233 Edwards St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1960
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1960
Grades: PK
| n/a 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 Waterloo, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Waterloo, IA include Lou Henry Elementary School, Hoover Middle School and Kingsley Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Waterloo?
16 public schools are located in Waterloo.
What percentage of students in Waterloo go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Waterloo are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Waterloo?
Waterloo public schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Waterloo are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Waterloo 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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