Average
#724 of 1,280 schools in IA
Highland Elementary School
Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District
812 Idaho St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#14 of 16
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#406 of 662
In district
#16 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Waterloo, Iowa. Serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 462 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Highland Elementary reflects a mix of strengths and areas for improvement, as indicated by MySchoolScout’s rating of 5.1 out of 10 and the school's ranking at #746 out of 1288 schools in Iowa.
Students perform above average in math with 58% proficient or above, while ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 49%, and science proficiency is 42%. These results suggest that there are opportunities for further academic growth across all subjects. Highland Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Black Hawk County.
The school's community focus is evident through its efforts to support student development and engagement, despite the challenges reflected in the current test scores. With dedicated teachers and supportive staff, Highland Elementary strives to create an environment where every child can thrive academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.2%
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: 4.8/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 63% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
812 Idaho St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Cunningham School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| East High School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Bunger Middle School Evansdale | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Poyner Elementary Evansdale | 2.4 mi | 8.0 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 7.6 |
| West High School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.8 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 | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Orange Elementary School Waterloo | 5.1 mi | 7.9 |
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 Highland Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 6.2 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines, IA | 6.2 |
| Edward White Elementary School Eldridge, IA | 6.2 |
| Fisher Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 6.2 |
| Irving Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 6.2 |
| Logan-Magnolia Elementary School Logan, IA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Elementary School
What grades does Highland Elementary School serve?
Highland Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Elementary School?
Highland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 462 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Elementary School rank in IA?
Highland Elementary School is ranked #724 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Highland Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary School has 58.2% math proficiency and 48.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highland Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highland Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary School?
87.2% of students at Highland 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.
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
- 462
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Phone
- (319) 433-2630
- 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
- #16 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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