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Waterloo Comm School District

Item: Waterloo Comm School District
Rating: 1
Author: Public School Review

1516 Washington St
Waterloo, IA 50702

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (319) 433-1800

www.waterlooschools.org

Top Rankings

Waterloo Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:

Overview

This School District

This State (IA)

# Schools

18 Schools

484 Schools

# Students

10,484 Students

151,361 Students

# Teachers

764 Teachers

11,213 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
Pre-K	421	69
Kind	637	77
1	587	68
2	541	65
3	577	61
4	523	57
5	563	44

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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.

This School District

State Average (IA)

#307 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District
2023	#307
2022	#299
2021	#308
2019	#321
2018	#323
2017	#326
2016	#332
2015	#331
2014	#339
2013	#342
2012	#345

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57%

68%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	57%	68%
2022	53%	64%
2021	50%	64%
2019	54%	69%
2018	62%	76%
2017	65%	77%
2016	65%	78%
2015	64%	79%
2014	64%	79%
2013	60%	77%
2012	58%	76%

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57%

70%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2022	57%	70%
2021	54%	68%
2019	53%	68%
2018	62%	74%
2017	61%	75%
2016	60%	75%
2015	62%	76%
2014	61%	76%
2013	59%	72%
2012	55%	71%
2011	61%	76%

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50%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2022	50%	63%
2021	45%	60%

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71%

90%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	71%	90%
2022	78%	90%
2021	81%	87%
2020	86%	89%
2019	83%	88%
2018	84%	89%
2017	84%	89%
2016	77%	88%
2015	80%	88%
2014	74%	89%
2013	70%	87%

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(2022-23)

46.9%

24.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	46.9%	24.7%
2022	43.3%	27.8%
2021	39.9%	23.1%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.74

0.46

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	0.72	0.46
2022	0.71	0.45
2021	0.70	0.43
2020	0.69	0.42
2019	0.69	0.42
2018	0.66	0.39
2017	0.66	0.39
2016	0.65	0.38
2015	0.63	0.38
2014	0.63	0.37
2013	0.63	0.35
2012	0.61	0.34
2011	0.60	0.34
2010	0.59	0.32
2009	0.55	0.29
2008	0.54	0.28
2007	0.53	0.26
2006	0.52	0.23
2005	0.50	0.24
2004	0.49	0.22
2003	0.48	0.21
2002	0.47	0.20
2001	0.47	0.20
2000	0.45	0.15
1999	0.45	0.16
1998	0.45	0.15
1997	0.44	0.13
1996	0.42	0.13
1995	0.41	0.13
1994	0.40	0.13
1993	0.37	0.11
1992	0.38	0.10
1991	0.38	0.10

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2001-2006)
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2006	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	4%	2%
2022	3%	3%
2021	3%	3%
2020	4%	3%
2019	4%	3%
2018	2%	2%
2017	2%	2%
2016	2%	2%
2015	2%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	2%	2%
2011	2%	2%
2010	2%	2%
2009	2%	2%
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%
2006	1%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	2%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	1%
1999	2%	2%
1998	2%	2%
1997	1%	2%
1996	2%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1994	1%	2%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

15%

13%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	14%	13%
2022	13%	12%
2021	12%	12%
2020	12%	11%
2019	12%	11%
2018	12%	11%
2017	12%	11%
2016	11%	10%
2015	11%	11%
2014	11%	10%
2013	11%	9%
2012	10%	9%
2011	10%	9%
2010	9%	8%
2009	8%	7%
2008	7%	7%
2007	7%	6%
2006	6%	5%
2005	6%	5%
2004	5%	5%
2003	5%	4%
2002	4%	4%
2001	4%	4%
2000	3%	2%
1999	2%	3%
1998	2%	3%
1997	2%	2%
1996	1%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1994	1%	2%
1993	1%	2%

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% Black

29%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	27%	7%
2022	27%	7%
2021	28%	7%
2020	27%	6%
2019	27%	6%
2018	27%	6%
2017	27%	6%
2016	27%	6%
2015	26%	5%
2014	26%	5%
2013	26%	5%
2012	26%	5%
2011	26%	5%
2010	27%	5%
2009	29%	6%
2008	29%	6%
2007	29%	5%
2006	28%	4%
2005	27%	5%
2004	26%	4%
2003	26%	4%
2002	26%	4%
2001	27%	4%
2000	27%	3%
1999	27%	4%
1998	27%	3%
1997	26%	3%
1996	25%	3%
1995	25%	3%
1994	24%	3%
1993	21%	3%
1992	22%	3%
1991	22%	3%

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% White

38%

72%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	42%	72%
2022	44%	73%
2021	46%	74%
2020	47%	75%
2019	47%	75%
2018	50%	77%
2017	50%	77%
2016	52%	78%
2015	54%	78%
2014	54%	79%
2013	55%	80%
2012	56%	81%
2011	57%	81%
2010	58%	82%
2009	61%	84%
2008	62%	84%
2007	62%	86%
2006	64%	88%
2005	65%	87%
2004	67%	88%
2003	67%	89%
2002	68%	89%
2001	67%	89%
2000	69%	94%
1999	69%	91%
1998	69%	92%
1997	71%	93%
1996	72%	93%
1995	73%	93%
1994	74%	93%
1993	77%	94%
1992	76%	95%
1991	76%	95%

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% Hawaiian

% Two or more races

11%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	10%	5%
2022	10%	5%
2021	8%	4%
2020	8%	4%
2019	8%	4%
2018	8%	4%
2017	8%	4%
2016	7%	4%
2015	6%	3%
2014	6%	3%
2013	6%	3%
2012	5%	3%
2011	5%	2%

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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.

This School District

This State (IA)

Total Revenue

$176 MM

$8,262 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$176 MM	$12 MM
2022	$160 MM	$11 MM
2021	$176 MM	$12 MM
2020	$160 MM	$11 MM
2019	$158 MM	$11 MM
2018	$153 MM	$10 MM
2017	$151 MM	$10 MM
2016	$151 MM	$10 MM
2015	$129 MM	$7 MM
2014	$144 MM	$9 MM
2012	$136 MM	$9 MM
2011	$132 MM	$8 MM
2010	$129 MM	$7 MM
2009	$124 MM	$7 MM
2008	$121 MM	$7 MM
2007	$115 MM	$7 MM
2006	$109 MM	$6 MM
2005	$104 MM	$6 MM
2004	$100 MM	$6 MM
2003	$101 MM	$6 MM
2002	$95 MM	$6 MM
2001	$93 MM	$5 MM
2000	$86 MM	$5 MM
1999	$76 MM	$5 MM
1998	$73 MM	$5 MM
1997	$71 MM	$4 MM
1996	$70 MM	$4 MM
1995	$66 MM	$4 MM

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Spending

$164 MM

$8,048 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$164 MM	$11 MM
2022	$149 MM	$11 MM
2021	$164 MM	$11 MM
2020	$149 MM	$11 MM
2019	$151 MM	$10 MM
2018	$141 MM	$10 MM
2017	$132 MM	$10 MM
2016	$134 MM	$10 MM
2015	$133 MM	$7 MM
2014	$136 MM	$8 MM
2012	$136 MM	$8 MM
2011	$134 MM	$8 MM
2010	$133 MM	$7 MM
2009	$144 MM	$7 MM
2008	$114 MM	$7 MM
2007	$121 MM	$6 MM
2006	$104 MM	$6 MM
2005	$99 MM	$6 MM
2004	$97 MM	$6 MM
2003	$99 MM	$6 MM
2002	$100 MM	$6 MM
2001	$91 MM	$6 MM
2000	$80 MM	$5 MM
1999	$74 MM	$5 MM
1998	$71 MM	$5 MM
1997	$68 MM	$4 MM
1996	$71 MM	$4 MM
1995	$66 MM	$4 MM

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Revenue / Student

$16,749

$16,596

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$16,681	$15,936
2022	$14,669	$14,700
2021	$16,552	$16,172
2020	$14,669	$14,700
2019	$14,563	$14,749
2018	$14,025	$14,230
2017	$14,007	$14,844
2016	$13,885	$14,113
2015	$11,617	$11,259
2014	$12,557	$13,301
2012	$12,351	$12,751
2011	$12,033	$12,165
2010	$11,522	$11,259
2009	$11,720	$11,087
2008	$11,397	$10,485
2007	$10,939	$10,103
2006	$10,079	$9,628
2005	$9,964	$9,167
2004	$9,574	$8,727
2003	$9,726	$8,857
2002	$9,232	$8,158
2001	$8,890	$7,654
2000	$8,312	$7,180
1999	$7,262	$6,993
1998	$6,784	$6,548
1997	$6,603	$6,347
1995	$5,985	$5,735
1992	$4,970	$5,300

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Spending / Student

$15,668

$16,167

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Waterloo Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$15,604	$15,133
2022	$13,649	$14,340
2021	$15,483	$15,357
2020	$13,649	$14,340
2019	$13,990	$14,216
2018	$12,968	$13,767
2017	$12,170	$14,379
2016	$12,268	$14,161
2015	$12,039	$11,298
2014	$11,837	$12,593
2012	$12,315	$12,000
2011	$12,167	$11,589
2010	$11,941	$11,298
2009	$13,589	$10,614
2008	$10,764	$9,706
2007	$11,458	$9,439
2006	$9,600	$9,204
2005	$9,490	$8,457
2004	$9,304	$8,450
2003	$9,546	$8,908
2002	$9,711	$8,409
2001	$8,660	$7,961
2000	$7,695	$7,433
1999	$7,024	$7,234
1998	$6,518	$6,713
1997	$6,345	$6,475
1995	$5,966	$5,710
1992	$4,958	$5,398

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Best Waterloo Comm School District Public Preschools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Orange Elementary School

(Math: 76% | Reading: 65%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

5805 Kimball Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880

Gr: PK-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Rank: #22.

Poyner Elementary School

(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1138 Central Ave
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534

Gr: PK-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%

Rank: #33.

Highland Elementary School

(Math: 67% | Reading: 55%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630

Gr: PK-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 72%

Rank: #44.

Kittrell Elementary School

(Math: 62% | Reading: 56%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1304 Oregon St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910

Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%

Rank: #55.

Lincoln Elementary School

(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

302 Cedar Bend St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990

Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%

Rank: #66.

Lowell Elementary School

(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1628 Washington St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900

Gr: PK-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%

Rank: #77.

Fred Becker Elementary School

(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1239 Sheldon St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180

Gr: PK-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%

Rank: #88.

Cunningham School

(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600

Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 18 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 10,484 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 62%
: 71% (Top 50% in IA)
: Bottom 50%
: 57% (Btm 50%)
: 57% (Btm 50%)
: 50% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education