Best Schools in Waterloo, Iowa
21 schools · 12 Elementary · 4 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $57,351
- Median home value
- $140,567
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
48% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waterloo compares
Iowa rank
#26 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$57k
75% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
21
About Schools in Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo, Iowa is home to 21 schools, including 16 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 12 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Waterloo perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Waterloo is Irving Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Waterloo is served by 1 school district: Waterloo Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 10,606 students.
Waterloo's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $57,351. The poverty rate in the area is 15.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 388 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 355 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 3 | 613 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 4 | 492 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 5 | 507 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 6 | 456 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 7 | 480 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 8 | 401 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 | ||
| 9 | 457 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 10 | 462 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST EDWARD SCHOOL
Private
307 students · Kindergarten–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
33 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 466 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 447 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 831 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 148 students · 6th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,713 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | 1,013 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 3 | 578 students · 6th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Private
247 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
241 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Waterloo
Waterloo, Iowa · 21 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$57,351
Median Home Value
$140,567
Median Rent
$899/mo
Population
69,339
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Community Profile
Waterloo has a median household income of $57,351. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,567, with a median rent of $899/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Iowa
- Total Schools
- 21
- Elementary
- 12
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 4
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 7.0/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Waterloo, Iowa
How many schools are in Waterloo, Iowa?
Waterloo has 21 schools, including 16 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waterloo, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waterloo is 7.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Waterloo, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is Irving Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waterloo, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is Irving Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Waterloo, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is Central Middle School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Waterloo, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is West High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Waterloo, Iowa?
Waterloo is served by 1 school district: Waterloo Comm School District.
What is the education level in Waterloo, Iowa?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Waterloo have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waterloo, Iowa?
The median household income in Waterloo is approximately $57,351 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waterloo, Iowa?
Yes, Waterloo has 5 private schools alongside 16 public schools. The top-rated private school is Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Middle School with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waterloo, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waterloo is 14.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waterloo, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.