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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Waterloo Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 9,682 students in Waterloo, IA (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,766 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Waterloo, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Waterloo, IA are Kingsley Elementary School, Orange Elementary School and Lou Henry Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Waterloo, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Waterloo have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Waterloo, IA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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 Waterloo, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Waterloo, IA include Kingsley Elementary School, Orange Elementary School and Lou Henry Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Waterloo?
16 public schools are located in Waterloo.
What percentage of students in Waterloo go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Waterloo are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Waterloo?
Waterloo public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Waterloo are often viewed compared to one another?

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