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Very Good

#343 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 27% in state

Cedar Falls High School

High School · Cedar Falls Comm School District

1015 Division St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Enrollment

1,336

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cedar Falls

#3 of 10

public schools

Iowa high schools

#59 of 334

In district

#3 of 10

Cedar Falls Comm School District

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Cedar Falls High School

Cedar Falls High School serves 1,336 students in grades 10-12 with a solid academic foundation in this Iowa college town. The school maintains a comfortable 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 94 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for meaningful student-educator connections during these crucial upper high school years. Academically, Cedar Falls High School demonstrates strong performance with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 76% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These results contribute to the school's 7.5 out of 10 academic score and ranking at #321 out of 1,288 Iowa high schools, placing it in the 75th percentile statewide. The school's overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 reflects its solid educational offerings. The school draws from a well-educated community where 48% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a median household income of $72,239.

This educated environment supports student achievement and college preparation. The surrounding neighborhood features a median home value of $250,000, reflecting the area's stability and investment in community. Cedar Falls High School sits in the heart of this small city of over 43,000 residents, benefiting from the engaged, education-focused atmosphere that characterizes this Black Hawk County community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+7.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.6 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)78%
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,378

Cedar Falls High School — Students at Cedar Falls High School score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.0%
School
State
67.8%
ELA Proficiency 78.5%
School
State
72.8%

Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
76%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
79.6%
ELA
78.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

How Cedar Falls High School Compares

See how Cedar Falls High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
73th percentile in IA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
94 teachers

Location

1015 Division St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cedar Falls High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lou Henry Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cedar Falls, see our Cedar Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Helen A Hansen Elementary School Cedar Falls 0.5 mi 6.4
Holmes Junior High School Cedar Falls 0.6 mi 7.1
Lincoln Elementary School Cedar Falls 0.6 mi 7.4
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Falls 0.8 mi 7.6
Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls 1.5 mi 7.3
North Cedar Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.1 mi 6.0
Southdale Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.0 mi 6.8
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary Cedar Falls 2.6 mi 5.4
Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.4 mi 5.5
Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.7 mi 6.6
Central Middle School Waterloo 4.0 mi 7.7
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 4.4 mi 6.3
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 5.0 mi 8.0
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 6.0 mi 5.8
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 6.1 mi 8.6
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 6.5 mi 6.3
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 6.7 mi 6.7
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 6.8 mi 7.8
Janesville Elementary School Janesville 8.3 mi 6.0
Janesville Junior-Senior High School Janesville 8.3 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50613 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,642

Median Home Value

$258,300

Median Rent

$1,176/mo

Population

43,680

College Educated

48.3%

Homeownership

64.7%

Avg Commute

14.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

30.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cedar Falls High School has a median household income of $75,642. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,300, with a median rent of $1,176/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Northwest High School Waukee, IA 7.2
Urbandale High School Urbandale, IA 7.2
West High School Waterloo, IA 7.0
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA 6.7
Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA 6.7
West Senior High School Iowa City, IA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cedar Falls High School

What grades does Cedar Falls High School serve?

Cedar Falls High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Cedar Falls High School?

Cedar Falls High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,336 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cedar Falls High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cedar Falls High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cedar Falls High School rank in IA?

Cedar Falls High School is ranked #343 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cedar Falls High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cedar Falls High School has a composite rating of 7.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cedar Falls High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cedar Falls High School has 77.0% math proficiency and 78.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cedar Falls High School a charter school?

No, Cedar Falls High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cedar Falls High School a Title I school?

No, Cedar Falls High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cedar Falls High School?

23.6% of students at Cedar Falls High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
County Safety
Low (80/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
1,336
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
94
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Black Hawk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cedar Falls Comm School District
District Enrollment
5,910
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,625
District Rank
#3 of 10

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 methodology

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