Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA · CC BY 2.0Waterloo’s public schools score below 96% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Waterloo’s districts is 57%, below the Iowa average (70%). The grade covers the public school district serving Waterloo, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Waterloo’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 57% of tested students were proficient in reading and 53% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
72% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,351 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cedar Valley Catholic School (private), Cedar Valley Catholic School System (private), Waterloo Christian School (private), St. Edward School (private), Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta (private) and Royal Legacy Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Waterloo’s grade
D−: better than 4% of Iowa school districts, #129 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Waterloo, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Waterloo · depends on your address
Hoover Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 848 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Central Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 469 students · 13:1 students per teacher
George Washington Carver Academy
Grades 6–8 · 455 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Waterloo · depends on your address
Hoover Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 848 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Central Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 469 students · 13:1 students per teacher
George Washington Carver Academy
Grades 6–8 · 455 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Waterloo · depends on your address
Hoover Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 848 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Central Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 469 students · 13:1 students per teacher
George Washington Carver Academy
Grades 6–8 · 455 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Waterloo · depends on your address
West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,696 students · 17:1 students per teacher
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Waterloo · depends on your address
West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,696 students · 17:1 students per teacher
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Waterloo · depends on your address
West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,696 students · 17:1 students per teacher
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Waterloo · depends on your address
West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,696 students · 17:1 students per teacher
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,016 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Waterloo’s public schools are run by Waterloo Community School District, which also serves Elk Run Heights, Evansdale, Gilbertville and Raymond. Parts of Waterloo (4% and 2% of its land) are served by Hudson and Cedar Falls instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Waterloo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Waterloo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | D− | Waterloo |
| Evansdale | D− | Waterloo |
| Cedar Falls | A− | Cedar Falls |
Every school in Waterloo
22 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Waterloo’s schools
Are Waterloo’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waterloo children attend score below 96% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade, #129 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waterloo in?
Waterloo Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,484 students in 18 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Waterloo are served by Hudson and Cedar Falls.
Where do Waterloo kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: West High School and East High School.
What is Waterloo’s graduation rate?
72% of the class of 2023 in Waterloo Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Waterloo spend per student?
$15,351 in Waterloo Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Waterloo?
Yes: Cedar Valley Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 873 students), Cedar Valley Catholic School System (Catholic, grades PK–12, 873 students), Waterloo Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 336 students), St. Edward School (Catholic, grades K–5, 321 students), Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta (Catholic, grades 6–8, 175 students) and Royal Legacy Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–6, 52 students).
Parents talk
What Waterloo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waterloo → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.