Best Schools in Waverly, Iowa
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Waverly?
Use this page to compare every school in Waverly by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Waverly-shell Rock Middle School
Middle · Waverly-shell Rock Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Waverly-shell Rock Senior High School
High · Waverly-shell Rock Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Southeast Elementary School
Elementary · Waverly-shell Rock Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Waverly for 2026 are Waverly-shell Rock Middle School (8.2/10), Waverly-shell Rock Senior High School (6.4/10), and Southeast Elementary School (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$221,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$221,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Waverly
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waverly-shell Rock Middle School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Waverly-shell Rock Senior High School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Southeast Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | West Cedar Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | St Paul's Lutheran School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Margaretta Carey Elementary School | 4.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Greenview Alternative School | 3.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $82,950
- Median home value
- $221,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Waverly compares
Iowa rank
#137 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$83k
109% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Waverly, Iowa
Waverly, Iowa is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Waverly show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Waverly is Waverly-shell Rock Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Waverly is served by 1 school district: Waverly-Shell Rock Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 2,372 students.
Waverly's community shows 41% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $82,950. The poverty rate in the area is 10.2%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 167 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | 225 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 238 students · Kindergarten–4th | 4.2 | ||
| 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 | St Paul's Lutheran School
Private
115 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.8 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 696 students · 5th–8th | 8.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 746 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 37 students · 9th–12th | 3.0 |
Schools in Waverly
Waverly, Iowa · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$82,950
Median Home Value
$221,600
Median Rent
$880/mo
Population
12,655
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Community Profile
Waverly has a median household income of $82,950. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,600, with a median rent of $880/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Waverly, Iowa
How many schools are in Waverly, Iowa?
Waverly has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waverly, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waverly is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Waverly, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Waverly on MySchoolScout is Waverly-shell Rock Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waverly, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waverly on MySchoolScout is Southeast Elementary School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Waverly, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Waverly on MySchoolScout is Waverly-shell Rock Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Waverly, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Waverly on MySchoolScout is Waverly-shell Rock Senior High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Waverly, Iowa?
Waverly is served by 1 school district: Waverly-shell Rock Comm School District.
What is the education level in Waverly, Iowa?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Waverly have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waverly, Iowa?
The median household income in Waverly is approximately $82,950 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Waverly, Iowa?
Yes, Waverly has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Paul's Lutheran School with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waverly, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waverly is 17.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waverly, 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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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.