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Excellent

#128 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 10% in state

Lincoln Elementary School

Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District

302 Cedar Bend St, Waterloo, IA 50703

Enrollment

492

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterloo

#4 of 16

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#97 of 662

In district

#5 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Lincoln Elementary School

Lincoln Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 492 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The faculty comprises 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting young learners.

Lincoln Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it in the 42nd percentile among Iowa schools. Academically, students perform at about average for proficiency levels: 50% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 52% in Math, and 36% in Science. The school is focusing on improving these scores to better support its student body.

Lincoln Elementary School is situated in the heart of Waterloo’s small city setting, offering a close-knit community feel for students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,933

Lincoln Elementary School — Students at Lincoln Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.7%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 49.8%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
61.4%
ELA
57.9%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Lincoln Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
90th percentile in IA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

302 Cedar Bend St, Waterloo, IA 50703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lincoln Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo 1.2 mi 7.1
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 1.9 mi 5.9
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 2.1 mi 6.3
Irving Elementary School Waterloo 2.4 mi 8.8
East High School Waterloo 2.1 mi 5.6
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 2.7 mi 8.6
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 2.9 mi 6.3
Cunningham School Waterloo 2.3 mi 6.6
Central Middle School Waterloo 2.5 mi 7.7
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 2.9 mi 6.9
West High School Waterloo 3.4 mi 7.0
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 3.6 mi 5.8
Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.8 mi 5.5
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 3.8 mi 6.7
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 3.8 mi 7.8
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 3.6 mi 8.2
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 3.9 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 3.9 mi 7.6
Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls 3.2 mi 6.6
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 3.3 mi 5.5

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 Lincoln 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
Danville Elementary School Danville, IA 8.0
Earlham Elementary School Earlham, IA 8.0
East Buchanan Elementary School Winthrop, IA 8.0
East Sac County Elementary Sac City, IA 8.0
Edison Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 8.0
Interstate 35 Elementary School Truro, IA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lincoln Elementary School

What grades does Lincoln Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Lincoln Elementary School?

Lincoln Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 492 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lincoln Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lincoln Elementary School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lincoln Elementary School rank in IA?

Lincoln Elementary School is ranked #128 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Lincoln Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lincoln Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Lincoln Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lincoln Elementary School has 51.7% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lincoln Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Lincoln Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

87.8% of students at Lincoln 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,946/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waterloo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Black Hawk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

Related reading

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