Best Schools in Waterloo, Indiana
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Waterloo?
Use this page to compare every school in Waterloo 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.
Dekalb High School
High · Dekalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dekalb Middle School
Middle · Dekalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Waterloo Elementary School
Elementary · Dekalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Waterloo for 2026 are Dekalb High School (6.5/10), Dekalb Middle School (5.9/10), and Waterloo Elementary School (5.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$177,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$177,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Waterloo
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dekalb High School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Dekalb Middle School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Waterloo Elementary School | 5.5 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $74,412
- Median home value
- $177,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
0% 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
Indiana rank
#150 of 218
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Indiana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$74k
103% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Waterloo, Indiana
Waterloo, Indiana is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Waterloo 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 Waterloo is Dekalb High School with a composite score of 6.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Waterloo is served by 1 school district: DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist. These districts collectively serve 3,578 students.
Waterloo's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,412. The poverty rate in the area is 9.4%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 224 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 774 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,052 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
Schools in Waterloo
Waterloo, Indiana · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$74,412
Median Home Value
$177,500
Median Rent
$840/mo
Population
4,122
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Community Profile
Waterloo has a median household income of $74,412. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $840/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Indiana
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Indiana
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 Waterloo, Indiana
How many schools are in Waterloo, Indiana?
Waterloo has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Waterloo, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Waterloo is 6.0 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 Waterloo, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is Dekalb High School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Waterloo, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is Waterloo Elementary School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Waterloo, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is Dekalb Middle School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Waterloo, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Waterloo on MySchoolScout is Dekalb High School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Waterloo, Indiana?
Waterloo is served by 1 school district: Dekalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist.
What is the education level in Waterloo, Indiana?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Waterloo have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Waterloo, Indiana?
The median household income in Waterloo is approximately $74,412 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Waterloo, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Waterloo is 16.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Waterloo, Indiana?
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, Indiana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.