For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 9,659 students in Waterloo, IA (there are 6 private schools, serving 990 private students). 91% 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 Kingsley Elementary School, Orange Elementary School and Lou Henry 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 56% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), 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
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kingsley Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Sunset Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Gr: K-5 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #22.
Orange Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5805 Kimball Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Gr: PK-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Lou Henry Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
312 Rachael St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Gr: K-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #44.
Hoover Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
630 Hillcrest Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Gr: 6-8 | 831 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #55.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Gr: PK-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #66.
West High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
425 E Ridgeway Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,713 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #77.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1115 W. 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Gr: K-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #88.
Kittrell Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1304 Oregon St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #99.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1010.
East High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,013 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1111.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1628 Washington St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1212.
Fred Becker Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1239 Sheldon St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Gr: PK-5 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1313.
Central Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Katoski Dr
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1414.
Cunningham School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1515.
George Washington Carver Academy
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1505 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Gr: 6-8 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1616.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 6-12 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Waterloo, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Expo High School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
927 Franklin
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 9-12
1913 Heath St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-5557
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-5557
Gr: PK | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
200 E Arlington St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 291-4883
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 291-4883
Gr: K-5 | 79 students Minority enrollment: 64%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Waterloo, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Waterloo, IA include Kingsley Elementary School, Orange Elementary School and Lou Henry 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?
91% 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, Hoover Middle School vs. Central Middle School
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