Average
#824 of 1,280 schools in IA
Cunningham School
Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District
1224 Mobile St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#824 of 1,280
In Waterloo
#12 of 16
public schools
In district
#13 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
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Cunningham School
Elementary School in Waterloo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
East High School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Royal Legacy Christian Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cunningham School
Cunningham School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. Cunningham School serves approximately 401 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cunningham School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #824 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Cunningham School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 7.2
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Cunningham School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
38% of students at Cunningham School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cunningham School — Students at Cunningham School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 35 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: 6.9/10.
How Cunningham School Compares
See how Cunningham School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1224 Mobile St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cunningham School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Poyner Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Evansdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Irving Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Highland Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 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 | 4.2 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| West High School Waterloo | 3.0 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| Bunger Middle School Evansdale | 3.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 3.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Poyner Elementary Evansdale | 3.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary School Coralville, IA | 5.8 |
| Columbus Elementary School Chariton, IA | 5.8 |
| Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge, IA | 5.8 |
| East Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 5.8 |
| Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer, IA | 5.8 |
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 ranks #824 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cunningham School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cunningham School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cunningham School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cunningham School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.7%
- Phone
- (319) 433-2600
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 10,606
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,652
- District Rank
- #13 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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