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 2026 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 2,773 students in Waterloo Comm School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Iowa.
Public Middle Schools in Waterloo Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public middle school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
18 Schools
372 Schools
# Students
10,484 Students
129,526 Students
# Teachers
764 Teachers
9,068 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 71% has decreased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#307 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
63%
Graduation Rate
71%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)46.9%
24.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.45
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
2%
% Hispanic
15%
12%
% Black
29%
6%
% White
38%
73%
% Hawaiian
4%
1%
% Two or more races
11%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,749 is higher than the state median of $16,596. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,668 is less than the state median of $16,167. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$176 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$164 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,749
$16,596
Spending / Student
$15,668
$16,167
Best Waterloo Comm School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 848 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
Bunger Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
157 S Roosevelt Rd
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Gr: 6-8 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #33.
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 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
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 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #55.
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 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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