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Waverly iowaPhoto: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Waverly · Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District

Waverly’s public schools outscore 84% of Iowa districts

In Waverly, 80% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Waverly, 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.

#23of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
81%
▲ 11 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
80%
▲ 16 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.8K
▼ 6% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.0
IA 14.1
Schools in town
7
2,098 students on the public path
In brief

Waverly’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 81% and math 80% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,831 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School, then Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Paul's Lutheran School (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Waverly’s grade

A Test scoresB− Graduation

A−: better than 84% of Iowa school districts, #23 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 84%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (547)Better than 83%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,595 test results and a graduating class of 200 could put Waverly anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Waverly’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,594 in math, 1,596 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Waverly, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–42 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
5–8Waverly-Shell Rock Middle SchoolWaverly-Shell Rock Community School DistrictA−
9–12Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High SchoolWaverly-Shell Rock Community School DistrictA−

Waverly’s public schools are run by Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District, which also serves Shell Rock. 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.

Waverly-Shell Rock Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 2,259 students · 14.0 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,831IA $13,713 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading81%
State average 69.7% · 1596 students tested
Math80%
State average 63.8% · 1594 students tested

Waverly vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Waverly’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WaverlyA−Waverly-Shell Rock

Every school in Waverly

7 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).

District schools in Waverlyby address
Southeast Elementary School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
A
31 studentsRate it →
North Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–4
397 students14:1Rate it →
Prairie West Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–4
252 students14:1Rate it →
Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
A−
681 students14:1Rate it →
Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
737 students15:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Greenview Alternative School
High · Grades 9–12
D−
Alternative Education
45 studentsRate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Paul's Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Religious
241 students18:1Rate it →

Questions about Waverly’s schools

Are Waverly’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Waverly children attend outscore 84% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #23 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 83%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Waverly in?

Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,259 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Waverly kids go to high school?

Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School, with 737 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Waverly’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Waverly spend per student?

$12,831 in Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Waverly?

Yes: St. Paul's Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–6, 241 students).

Parents talk

What Waverly families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Waverly → 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.