Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Black Hawk County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Black Hawk County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 18,409 students in Black Hawk County, IA (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,499 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Black Hawk County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA are Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Black Hawk County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 67% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Black Hawk County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Black Hawk County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Gr: PK-6 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Gr: PK-6 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Southdale Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
627 Orchard Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2900
Gr: PK-6 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Gr: 7-9 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Dunkerton Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
509 Canfield
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Gr: PK-5 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Holmes Junior High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
505 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2650
Gr: 7-9 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Hudson High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
245 S Washington
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4226
Gr: 7-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
La Porte City Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
515 Fillmore
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-3033
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #99.
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
136 S Washington
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-3239
Gr: PK-6 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Cedar Falls High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2701 W 27th St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2500
Gr: 10-12 | 1,333 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1111.
Orchard Hill Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3909 Rownd St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2465
Gr: PK-6 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1212.
North Cedar Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2419 Fern Ave
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2810
Gr: PK-6 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1313.
Cedar Heights Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2417 Rainbow Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2855
Gr: PK-6 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1414.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
321 8th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Gr: PK-6 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1515.
Kingsley Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
201 Sunset Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Gr: K-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1616.
Orange Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5805 Kimball Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Gr: PK-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1717.
Lou Henry Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
312 Rachael St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Gr: K-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1818.
Hoover Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
630 Hillcrest Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Gr: 6-8 | 848 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1919.
Union High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Adams St
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-2697
Gr: 9-12 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2020.
Poyner Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1138 Central Ave
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534
Gr: PK-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2121.
Dunkerton High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
509 Canfield
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Gr: 6-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #2222.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Gr: PK-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2323.
West High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
425 E Ridgeway Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,696 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2424.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1115 W. 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Gr: K-5 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2525.
Kittrell Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1304 Oregon St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2626.
Bunger Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
157 S Roosevelt Rd
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Gr: 6-8 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2727.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
302 Cedar Bend St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2828.
East High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,016 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2929.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1628 Washington St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #3030.
Fred Becker Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1239 Sheldon St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Gr: PK-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #3131.
Central Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1350 Katoski Dr
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3232.
Cunningham School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #3333.
George Washington Carver Academy
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1505 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #3434.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 6-12 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA include Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Black Hawk County?
35 public schools are located in Black Hawk County.
What percentage of students in Black Hawk County go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Black Hawk County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Black Hawk County?
Black Hawk County public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Black Hawk County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (IA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?

More Articles

About Public Schools
Public School Policies
Local School Topics
Parenting and Learning Issues
Evaluating Public Schools