Top Rankings
Waterloo Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public elementary schools serving 7,762 students in Waterloo Comm School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Iowa.
Public Elementary Schools in Waterloo Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 66%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public elementary school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
19 Schools
924 Schools
# Students
10,619 Students
320,020 Students
# Teachers
716 Teachers
23,100 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
District Rank
Waterloo Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 78% has decreased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#299 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
63%
Graduation Rate
78%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.73
0.47
# American Indian Students
22 Students
1,327 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
335 Students
7,817 Students
% Asian Students
3%
3%
# Hispanic Students
1,464 Students
40,728 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
13%
# Black Students
2,995 Students
22,463 Students
% Black Students
28%
7%
# White Students
4,255 Students
228,520 Students
% White Students
40%
71%
# Hawaiian Students
436 Students
2,308 Students
% Hawaiian Students
4%
1%
# Two or more races Students
1,112 Students
16,789 Students
% of Two or more races Students
11%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
568
17,527
# Students in K Grade:
806
35,055
# Students in 1st Grade:
749
34,545
# Students in 2nd Grade:
776
35,477
# Students in 3rd Grade:
686
35,334
# Students in 4th Grade:
757
35,902
# Students in 5th Grade:
760
35,813
# Students in 6th Grade:
762
35,551
# Students in 7th Grade:
744
24,719
# Students in 8th Grade:
767
22,978
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,155
1,729
# Students in 10th Grade:
803
1,838
# Students in 11th Grade:
760
1,809
# Students in 12th Grade:
526
1,743
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,536 is higher than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,469 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$176 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$164 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,536
$16,468
Spending / Student
$15,469
$16,042
Best Waterloo Comm School District Public Elementary Schools (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.
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: #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: #99.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #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
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
