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Very Good

#272 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 21% in state

Orange Elementary School

Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District

5805 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701

Enrollment

507

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#272 of 1,280

In Waterloo

#2 of 16

public schools

In district

#3 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Orange Elementary School

7.9/10

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

Lou Henry Elementary School

5.4/10

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

Hoover Middle School

7.2/10

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

About Orange Elementary School

Orange Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. Orange Elementary School serves approximately 507 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Orange Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #272 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Orange Elementary School show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.2
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Orange Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.9% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency80% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,652
Chronic Absenteeism20.9%

Orange Elementary School — Students at Orange Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 74.0% (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
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
78%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
75%
ELA
74%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2020*
Math
69%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
68%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
83.7%
ELA
76.9%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Orange Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
79th percentile in IA
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.9%

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

5805 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orange Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Poyner Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Evansdale), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Irving Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 2.3 mi 5.4
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 2.3 mi 7.2
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 2.4 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 2.4 mi 7.6
West High School Waterloo 2.8 mi 4.9
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 2.8 mi 5.8
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 3.2 mi 6.3
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 3.0 mi 7.5
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 3.3 mi 7.3
Irving Elementary School Waterloo 3.9 mi 8.0
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 3.9 mi 7.3
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 4.8 mi 6.5
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 5.1 mi 5.9
East High School Waterloo 5.1 mi 4.2
Central Middle School Waterloo 4.9 mi 7.5
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 5.1 mi 7.5
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 5.2 mi 3.9
Cunningham School Waterloo 5.6 mi 5.8
Poyner Elementary Evansdale 4.8 mi 8.6
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 6.1 mi 6.9

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
Bryant Elementary School Dubuque, IA 7.9
Jesup Elementary School Jesup, IA 7.9
North Bend Elementary North Liberty, IA 7.9
Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA 7.9
Paul Norton Elementary School Bettendorf, IA 7.9
Prairie Ridge Elementary Cedar Rapids, IA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orange Elementary School

What grades does Orange Elementary School serve?

Orange Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Orange Elementary School?

Orange Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 507 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orange Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Orange Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orange Elementary School rank in IA?

Orange Elementary School ranks #272 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Orange Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orange Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Orange Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orange Elementary School has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Orange Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Orange Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

56.6% of students at Orange 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
3 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Black Hawk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.9%

District

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

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