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 is 1 public high school serving 879 students in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5. This district's average high testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public high schools in Illinois.
Public High School in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 29% statewide average).
Public High School in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 have a Graduation Rate of 93%, which is more than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Waterloo High School, with 93% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
5 Schools
1,030 Schools
# Students
2,742 Students
605,599 Students
# Teachers
170 Teachers
42,717 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
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
6%
% Hispanic
3%
29%
% Black
1%
16%
% White
94%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%
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 High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Waterloo High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505 E Bulldog
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3455
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3455
Gr: 9-12 | 879 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Recent Articles

Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.

Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.

NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here’s what parents and educators need to know.