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
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Lou Henry Elementary School — Students at Lou Henry Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Lou Henry Elementary School Compares
See how Lou Henry Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 68% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (319) 433-2860
- 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
- #7 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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