Waterloo Community Mausoleum · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWaterloo’s public schools outscore 67% of Indiana districts
In Waterloo, 48% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the Indiana average (41%). 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 Indiana, not nationally.
From Indiana 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.
Waterloo’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 42% in spring 2022, against 41% and 38% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,447 per student, against $13,688 across Indiana (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is DeKalb Middle School, then DeKalb High School. See the path ↓
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
B+: better than 67% of Indiana school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Indiana 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.
6th grade in Waterloo
DeKalb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 759 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Waterloo
DeKalb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 759 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Waterloo
DeKalb Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 759 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Waterloo
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,007 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Waterloo
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,007 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Waterloo
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,007 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Waterloo
DeKalb High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,007 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Waterloo’s public schools are run by DeKalb County Central United School District, which also serves Ashley, Auburn, Corunna and Fairfield and others. 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 Indiana towns that share Waterloo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | B+ | DeKalb County Central United |
Every school in Waterloo
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Indiana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Waterloo’s schools
Are Waterloo’s schools good?
By Indiana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Waterloo children attend outscore 67% of Indiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waterloo in?
DeKalb County Central United School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,537 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Waterloo kids go to high school?
DeKalb High School, with 1,007 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Waterloo’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in DeKalb County Central United School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana.
How much does Waterloo spend per student?
$12,447 in DeKalb County Central United School District (FY2024), against $13,688 across Indiana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
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 Indiana. Stars are from neighbors.