Average
#958 of 1,280 schools in IA
Expo Alternative Learning Center
High School · Waterloo Comm School District
1410 Independence Ave, Waterloo, IA 50703
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#16 of 16
public schools
Iowa high schools
#231 of 334
In district
#18 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Expo Alternative Learning Center
Expo Alternative Learning Center in Waterloo, Iowa, is an alternative school serving students from sixth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 578 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to its diverse population. The school's location on Independence Avenue in a small city setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere.
Expo Alternative Learning Center focuses on providing an inclusive educational environment for students who may thrive in a non-traditional setting. While academic performance as measured by state standards places the school in the lower percentile with room for improvement, the school continues to prioritize student development and support. Test scores indicate that 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 24% in math, and 28% in science.
Expo Alternative Learning Center is situated in a community where it works closely with local resources to meet its students' needs effectively.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Expo Alternative Learning Center 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Expo Alternative Learning Center — Students at Expo Alternative Learning Center score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.5/10.
How Expo Alternative Learning Center Compares
See how Expo Alternative Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 20% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 40% (2022).
Location
1410 Independence Ave, Waterloo, IA 50703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Expo Alternative Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West High School (rated 7.0/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East High School (rated 5.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo | 0.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Cunningham School Waterloo | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| East High School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Bunger Middle School Evansdale | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Poyner Elementary Evansdale | 2.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 2.3 mi | 8.8 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| West High School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 3.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 3.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 4.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 4.2 mi | 6.3 |
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 Expo Alternative Learning Center 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 |
|---|---|
| BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dyersville, IA | 5.5 |
| Hinton High School Hinton, IA | 5.5 |
| Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls, IA | 5.5 |
| Mount Pleasant High School Mount Pleasant, IA | 5.5 |
| Winterset Senior High School Winterset, IA | 5.5 |
| Ballard High School Huxley, IA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Expo Alternative Learning Center
What grades does Expo Alternative Learning Center serve?
Expo Alternative Learning Center serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Expo Alternative Learning Center?
Expo Alternative Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 578 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Expo Alternative Learning Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Expo Alternative Learning Center is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Expo Alternative Learning Center rank in IA?
Expo Alternative Learning Center is ranked #958 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Expo Alternative Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Expo Alternative Learning Center has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Expo Alternative Learning Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Expo Alternative Learning Center has 24.3% math proficiency and 40.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Expo Alternative Learning Center a charter school?
No, Expo Alternative Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Expo Alternative Learning Center a Title I school?
No, Expo Alternative Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Expo Alternative Learning Center?
81.5% of students at Expo Alternative Learning Center 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
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 578
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.5%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Phone
- (319) 433-1930
- 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
- #18 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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