Photo: Doug Kerr from now in Binghamton, NY · CC BY-SA 2.0Waterloo’s public schools score below 87% of New York districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Waterloo’s districts is 28%, below the New York average (49%). 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 New York, not nationally.
From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 84% 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, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 84% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Waterloo’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $28,798 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is La Fayette School, then Waterloo Middle School, then Waterloo High School. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. 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
D: better than 13% of New York school districts, #695 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York 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.
Kindergarten in Waterloo
Skoi-Yase School
Grades PK–2 · 345 students · 9:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Waterloo
Skoi-Yase School
Grades PK–2 · 345 students · 9:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Waterloo
Skoi-Yase School
Grades PK–2 · 345 students · 9:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Waterloo
La Fayette School
Grades 3–5 · 309 students · 9:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Waterloo
La Fayette School
Grades 3–5 · 309 students · 9:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Waterloo
La Fayette School
Grades 3–5 · 309 students · 9:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 356 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 356 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 356 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 404 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 404 students · 9:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 404 students · 9:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Waterloo
Waterloo High School
Grades 9–12 · 404 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Waterloo’s public schools are run by Waterloo Central School District, which also serves Fayette, Junius, Seneca Falls and Tyre and others. Parts of Waterloo (3% of its land) are served by Geneva City 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 New York towns that share Waterloo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | D | Waterloo Central |
| Fayette | C− | Waterloo Central PK–12 · Seneca Falls Central PK–12 · Romulus Central PK–12 |
| Seneca Falls | C− | Seneca Falls Central PK–12 · Waterloo Central PK–12 |
| Junius | D | Waterloo Central |
All 3 neighbors share Waterloo Central with Waterloo, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Waterloo
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New York’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Waterloo’s schools
Are Waterloo’s schools good?
On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Waterloo children attend score below 87% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #695 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 9%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Waterloo in?
Waterloo Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,414 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Waterloo are served by Geneva City.
Where do Waterloo kids go to high school?
Waterloo High School, with 404 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Waterloo’s graduation rate?
75–79% of the class of 2023 in Waterloo Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Waterloo spend per student?
$28,798 in Waterloo Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. 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 New York. Stars are from neighbors.