Very Good
#378 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 30% in state
Highland Elementary School
Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District
812 Idaho St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#378 of 1,280
In Waterloo
#4 of 16
public schools
In district
#5 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Highland Elementary School
Elementary School in Waterloo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cunningham School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. Highland Elementary School serves approximately 462 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #378 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 7.2
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Highland 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
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 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: 9.1/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary 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
812 Idaho St, Waterloo, IA 50703
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Poyner Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Evansdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Irving Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Orange Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 3.9 |
| Cunningham School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| East High School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Bunger Middle School Evansdale | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Poyner Elementary Evansdale | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 4.9 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 3.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 7.5 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill, IA | 7.5 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 7.5 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 7.5 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny, IA | 7.5 |
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake, IA | 7.5 |
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 ranks #378 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Highland Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.4%
- Phone
- (319) 433-2630
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 10,606
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,652
- District Rank
- #5 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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