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Average

#543 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 42% 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

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#543 of 1,280

In Waterloo

#9 of 16

public schools

In district

#10 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Lincoln Elementary School

6.9/10

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

George Washington Carver Academy

6.2/10

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

Royal Legacy Christian Academy

5.9/10

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

About Lincoln Elementary School

Lincoln Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. Lincoln Elementary School serves approximately 492 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Lincoln Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #543 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Lincoln Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Lincoln 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 Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.9% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.2 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,652
Chronic Absenteeism40.9%

Lincoln Elementary School — Students at Lincoln Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 51.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 47.5% (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
47%
ELA
45%
2010
Math
43%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
42%
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: 8.4/10.

How Lincoln Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
58th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.9%

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

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 8.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orchard Hill Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Cedar Falls), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.2
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 1.9 mi 5.9
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 2.1 mi 6.5
Irving Elementary School Waterloo 2.4 mi 8.0
East High School Waterloo 2.1 mi 4.2
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 2.7 mi 7.3
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 2.9 mi 6.3
Cunningham School Waterloo 2.3 mi 5.8
Central Middle School Waterloo 2.5 mi 7.5
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 2.9 mi 7.3
West High School Waterloo 3.4 mi 4.9
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 3.6 mi 5.8
Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls 2.8 mi 6.6
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 3.8 mi 7.2
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 3.8 mi 5.4
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 3.6 mi 7.5
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 7.9
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 3.3 mi 3.9

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
Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass, IA 6.9
Emerson Elementary School Indianola, IA 6.9
Fisher Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 6.9
Forest City Elementary School Forest City, IA 6.9
Garfield Elementary School Clarinda, IA 6.9
Iowa Valley Elementary School Marengo, IA 6.9

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 ranks #543 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Lincoln Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lincoln Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Lincoln Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lincoln Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.9%

District

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

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