Top Rankings
Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 1,863 students in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public elementary schools in Illinois.
Public Elementary Schools in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
5 Schools
3,103 Schools
# Students
2,742 Students
1,223,913 Students
# Teachers
170 Teachers
89,922 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Waterloo Community Unit School District 5, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 864 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has increased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#91 out of 865 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
50%
Graduation Rate
93%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.11
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
6%
% Hispanic
3%
27%
% Black
1%
17%
% White
94%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,067 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,990. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,616 is less than the state median of $21,244. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$41 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$37 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,067
$21,990
Spending / Student
$13,616
$21,244
Best Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rogers Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
200 Rogers St
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3454
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3454
Gr: 2-3 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Waterloo Junior High School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Bellefontaine Dr
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3457
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3457
Gr: 6-8 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Gardner Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Ed Gardner Pl
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3060
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3060
Gr: 4-5 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
301 Hamacher St
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3458
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3458
Gr: PK-1 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Recent Articles
Gifted & Talented Programs in Public Schools
Explore opportunities and controversies in gifted & talented programs—equity, outcomes, and models shaping public education in 2025.
Evaluating STEM in Public Schools: A Parent & District Guide
A guide to evaluating STEM programs in public school districts—metrics, best practices, equity, and 2025 trends for parents and community stakeholders.
Special Education in Public Schools: Understanding IEPs & Services
What parents need to know about IEPs, services, rights, and how to get the best support in public schools in 2025.
