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Average

#908 of 1,280 schools in IA

Lou Henry Elementary School

Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District

312 Rachael St, Waterloo, IA 50701

Enrollment

456

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#908 of 1,280

In Waterloo

#13 of 16

public schools

In district

#15 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Lou Henry Elementary School

5.4/10

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

Hoover Middle School

7.2/10

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

West High School

4.9/10

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

About Lou Henry Elementary School

Lou Henry Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. Lou Henry Elementary School serves approximately 456 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Lou Henry Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #908 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Lou Henry Elementary School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,652
Chronic Absenteeism23.7%

Lou Henry Elementary School — Students at Lou Henry Elementary School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

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 65.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 64.6% (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
78%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
73%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
65%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
53%
ELA
54%
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: 4.6/10.

How Lou Henry Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in IA
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

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

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 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orange Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably 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 7.2
West High School Waterloo 0.8 mi 4.9
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 7.3
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 8.0
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 1.6 mi 7.5
Orange Elementary School Waterloo 2.3 mi 7.9
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 2.2 mi 7.3
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 2.6 mi 6.5
Central Middle School Waterloo 2.8 mi 7.5
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 3.1 mi 5.9
East High School Waterloo 3.2 mi 4.2
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 3.8 mi 6.9
Cunningham School Waterloo 3.8 mi 5.8
George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo 4.2 mi 6.2
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 3.6 mi 7.5
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 3.7 mi 3.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston, IA 5.4
Bloomer Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 5.4
Hoover Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.4
Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville, IA 5.4
Panorama Elementary Panora, IA 5.4
Pence Elementary Fairfield, IA 5.4

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 ranks #908 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Lou Henry Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lou Henry Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Lou Henry Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lou Henry Elementary School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

District

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

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