Average
#573 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 45% in state
Cunningham School
Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District
1224 Mobile St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#12 of 16
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#338 of 662
In district
#14 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Cunningham School
Cunningham School is an elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in Waterloo, Iowa. With a student body of 401 children and a teacher-student ratio of 12.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to its pupils. The school has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse range of learners.
Cunningham School’s academic performance shows there is room for growth, with proficiency rates in ELA at 36%, math at 41%, and science at 22%. These scores indicate areas where the school focuses on student development. Despite these challenges, Cunningham School remains committed to providing a supportive educational environment.
Cunningham School is located in Waterloo’s small city setting, offering easy access for local families. The surrounding community provides a nurturing atmosphere that complements the school's efforts to foster learning and growth among its young students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Cunningham School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Cunningham School — Students at Cunningham School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.3/10.
How Cunningham School Compares
See how Cunningham School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
1224 Mobile St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cunningham School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East High School Waterloo | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 2.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| West High School Waterloo | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo | 3.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Bunger Middle School Evansdale | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Poyner Elementary Evansdale | 3.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 3.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,412
Median Home Value
$92,500
Median Rent
$926/mo
Population
18,397
College Educated
12.6%
Homeownership
57.7%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cunningham School has a median household income of $49,412. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,500, with a median rent of $926/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Carver Elementary Des Moines, IA | 6.6 |
| Durant Elementary School Durant, IA | 6.6 |
| Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville, IA | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pella, IA | 6.6 |
| Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 6.6 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dyersville, IA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cunningham School
What grades does Cunningham School serve?
Cunningham School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cunningham School?
Cunningham School has an enrollment of approximately 401 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cunningham School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cunningham School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cunningham School rank in IA?
Cunningham School is ranked #573 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cunningham School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cunningham School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Cunningham School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cunningham School has 41.4% math proficiency and 35.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cunningham School a charter school?
No, Cunningham School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cunningham School a Title I school?
No, Cunningham School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cunningham School?
91.5% of students at Cunningham 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,946/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waterloo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 401
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Phone
- (319) 433-2600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 10,606
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,652
- District Rank
- #14 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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