Average
#461 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 36% in state
Lowell Elementary School
Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District
1628 Washington St, Waterloo, IA 50702
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#10 of 16
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#284 of 662
In district
#11 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Lowell Elementary School
Lowell Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Waterloo, Iowa. Serving preschool through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 480 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention. With 39 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education, Lowell Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment.
Academically, the school is ranked in the 37th percentile among Iowa schools and has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. Test scores show that 49% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 52% in math, and 45% in science. While these numbers indicate areas for growth, the school community is actively working to enhance educational outcomes.
Lowell Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Black Hawk County, providing a nurturing environment that encourages student development and social interaction. The school's location makes it an integral part of the local community, offering families easy access to resources and activities in Waterloo.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Lowell Elementary School — Students at Lowell Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Lowell Elementary School Compares
See how Lowell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
1628 Washington St, Waterloo, IA 50702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lowell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 0.8 mi | 8.8 |
| East High School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| West High School Waterloo | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Cunningham School Waterloo | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 8.0 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Poyner Elementary Evansdale | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Bunger Middle School Evansdale | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,784
Median Home Value
$145,800
Median Rent
$926/mo
Population
21,197
College Educated
21.2%
Homeownership
59.5%
Avg Commute
17.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lowell Elementary School has a median household income of $59,784. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,800, with a median rent of $926/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Carver Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 6.9 |
| Liberty Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 6.9 |
| Prairie Crest Elementary Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.9 |
| United Community School Boone, IA | 6.9 |
| Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter, IA | 6.9 |
| Webster Elementary School Urbandale, IA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lowell Elementary School
What grades does Lowell Elementary School serve?
Lowell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Lowell Elementary School?
Lowell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 480 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lowell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lowell Elementary School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lowell Elementary School rank in IA?
Lowell Elementary School is ranked #461 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Lowell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lowell Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Lowell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lowell Elementary School has 51.7% math proficiency and 49.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lowell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Lowell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lowell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Lowell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lowell Elementary School?
77.3% of students at Lowell 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
- City Safety
- High (2,946/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waterloo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 480
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Phone
- (319) 433-1900
- 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
- #11 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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