Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWaterloo’s public schools outscore 83% of Illinois districts
47% of students in Waterloo’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Illinois average (30%). 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 Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all 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
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 1114 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Waterloo’s, its schools beat 90%, higher than their 83% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 47% and math 38% in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,843 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Rogers Elem School, then Waterloo Junior High School, then Waterloo High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Gibault Catholic (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Waterloo’s grade
A−: better than 83% of Illinois school districts, #134 of 768 Illinois towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Illinois average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Waterloo, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Waterloo
W J Zahnow Elem School
Grades PK–1 · 487 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Waterloo
W J Zahnow Elem School
Grades PK–1 · 487 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Waterloo
W J Zahnow Elem School
Grades PK–1 · 487 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Waterloo
Rogers Elem School
Grades 2–3 · 417 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Waterloo
Rogers Elem School
Grades 2–3 · 417 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Waterloo
Gardner Elementary School
Grades 4–5 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Waterloo
Gardner Elementary School
Grades 4–5 · 374 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 613 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 613 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo Junior High School
Grades 6–8 · 613 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 876 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Waterloo’s public schools are run by Waterloo Community Unit School District 5, which also serves Hecker. 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 above the state in reading
Waterloo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Waterloo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | A− | Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 |
Every school in Waterloo
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Waterloo’s schools
Are Waterloo’s schools good?
By Illinois’s own tests, yes: the public schools Waterloo children attend outscore 83% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #134 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 90%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waterloo in?
Waterloo Community Unit School District 5, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,767 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Waterloo kids go to high school?
Waterloo High School, with 876 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Waterloo’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Waterloo spend per student?
$13,843 in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Waterloo?
Yes: Gibault Catholic (Catholic, grades 9–12, 192 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 (2020–21, 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 Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.