Skip to main content

Average

#647 of 1,280 schools in IA

Fred Becker Elementary School

Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District

1239 Sheldon St, Waterloo, IA 50701

Enrollment

457

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#647 of 1,280

In Waterloo

#10 of 16

public schools

In district

#11 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Fred Becker Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Fred Becker Elementary School

6.5/10

Elementary School in Waterloo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central Middle School

7.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Waterloo Christian School

5.8/10

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fred Becker Elementary School

Fred Becker Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. Fred Becker Elementary School serves approximately 457 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Fred Becker Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #647 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Fred Becker Elementary School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Fred Becker Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.9% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,652
Chronic Absenteeism34.4%

Fred Becker Elementary School — Students at Fred Becker Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 53.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
58%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
46%
2025
Math
62.4%
ELA
50.9%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Fred Becker Elementary School Compares

See how Fred Becker Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
50th percentile in IA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1239 Sheldon St, Waterloo, IA 50701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fred Becker Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orchard Hill Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Cedar Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southdale Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Cedar Falls), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Middle School Waterloo 0.6 mi 7.5
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 2.0 mi 5.8
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 1.8 mi 7.3
Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls 1.8 mi 7.9
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 2.1 mi 6.9
Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.1 mi 6.6
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 2.1 mi 6.3
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 2.5 mi 7.2
Irving Elementary School Waterloo 2.1 mi 8.0
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 2.6 mi 5.4
West High School Waterloo 2.6 mi 4.9
Southdale Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.6 mi 7.8
Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls 2.9 mi 8.1
George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo 3.0 mi 6.2
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 3.2 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 3.2 mi 7.6
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 2.9 mi 5.9
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 3.0 mi 7.3
East High School Waterloo 3.1 mi 4.2
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 3.3 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,857

Median Home Value

$183,400

Median Rent

$846/mo

Population

29,745

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

67.1%

Avg Commute

15 min

Poverty Rate

15.9%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buffalo Elementary School Buffalo, IA 6.5
Franklin Elementary School Muscatine, IA 6.5
Kluckhohn Elementary School Le Mars, IA 6.5
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk, IA 6.5
Sunset Heights Elementary School Webster City, IA 6.5
Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua, IA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fred Becker Elementary School

What grades does Fred Becker Elementary School serve?

Fred Becker Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Fred Becker Elementary School?

Fred Becker Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fred Becker Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fred Becker Elementary School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fred Becker Elementary School rank in IA?

Fred Becker Elementary School ranks #647 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fred Becker Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fred Becker Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Fred Becker Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fred Becker Elementary School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Fred Becker Elementary School a charter school?

No, Fred Becker Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fred Becker Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Fred Becker Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fred Becker Elementary School?

78.6% of students at Fred Becker Elementary 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Black Hawk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

District

Waterloo Comm School District
District Enrollment
10,606
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,652
District Rank
#11 of 18

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.