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Very Good

#183 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 14% in state

Lou Henry Elementary School

Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District

312 Rachael St, Waterloo, IA 50701

Enrollment

456

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterloo

#6 of 16

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#129 of 662

In district

#7 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Lou Henry Elementary School

Lou Henry Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Waterloo, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 456 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. Lou Henry Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment that emphasizes both academic growth and personal development.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Lou Henry Elementary ranks 6.5 out of 10 overall, placing it in the 71st percentile among Iowa schools. The school's academic performance is reflected in its state rankings: 380 out of 1288 schools. In reading and math, 60% of students are proficient or above, while 49% reach proficiency in science.

With room for improvement, Lou Henry Elementary continues to work on enhancing educational outcomes. Lou Henry Elementary is situated in a small city setting within the Black Hawk County area. The school is an integral part of the community and contributes positively to the local neighborhood by fostering strong connections between families, educators, and students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68%
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,933

Lou Henry Elementary School — Students at Lou Henry Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.2%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 59.9%
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
51%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
63.4%
ELA
59.4%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Lou Henry Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in IA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

312 Rachael St, Waterloo, IA 50701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lou Henry Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 0.1 mi 6.7
West High School Waterloo 0.8 mi 7.0
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 1.0 mi 6.3
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 0.8 mi 5.8
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 1.1 mi 8.6
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 1.0 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 1.0 mi 7.6
Irving Elementary School Waterloo 1.8 mi 8.8
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 1.6 mi 8.2
Orange Elementary School Waterloo 2.3 mi 7.9
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 2.2 mi 6.9
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 2.6 mi 6.3
Central Middle School Waterloo 2.8 mi 7.7
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 3.1 mi 5.9
East High School Waterloo 3.2 mi 5.6
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 3.8 mi 8.0
Cunningham School Waterloo 3.8 mi 6.6
George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo 4.2 mi 7.1
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 3.6 mi 6.2
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 3.7 mi 5.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lou Henry Elementary School has a median household income of $62,857. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,400, with a median rent of $846/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
Clark Elementary School Le Mars, IA 7.8
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner, IA 7.8
Garton Elementary Des Moines, IA 7.8
Jesup Elementary School Jesup, IA 7.8
Nodaway Valley Elementary School Greenfield, IA 7.8
Sunset Heights Elementary School Webster City, IA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lou Henry Elementary School

What grades does Lou Henry Elementary School serve?

Lou Henry Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Lou Henry Elementary School?

Lou Henry Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 456 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lou Henry Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lou Henry 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 Lou Henry Elementary School rank in IA?

Lou Henry Elementary School is ranked #183 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Lou Henry Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lou Henry Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Lou Henry Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lou Henry Elementary School has 60.2% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lou Henry Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Lou Henry Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

65.8% of students at Lou Henry 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
48 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat 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
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
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
#7 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

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