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Very Good

#152 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 12% 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterloo

#5 of 16

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#114 of 662

In district

#6 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Orange Elementary School

Orange Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa, is a welcoming public school for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 507 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to support each child's learning journey. The dedicated faculty consists of 36 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to foster a nurturing educational environment.

Academically, Orange Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks at number 476 among 1288 schools in Iowa. Students here excel in both ELA/Reading (72% proficient or above) and Math (77% proficient or above), while Science proficiency stands at 70%. These scores reflect a solid foundation but also indicate areas where continued growth could benefit students.

Orange Elementary School is situated in a rural area near Waterloo, offering a close-knit community feel. The school's setting provides a serene backdrop for learning and development, allowing students to connect with nature while engaging in enriching academic activities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Orange Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,933

Orange Elementary School — Students at Orange Elementary School score 66% 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

56.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.5%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 72.1%
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
71%
ELA
70%
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: 8.5/10.

How Orange Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
88th percentile in IA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

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. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar 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 7.8
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 2.3 mi 6.7
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 7.0
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 8.2
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 3.3 mi 8.6
Irving Elementary School Waterloo 3.9 mi 8.8
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 3.9 mi 6.9
Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo 4.8 mi 6.3
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 5.1 mi 5.9
East High School Waterloo 5.1 mi 5.6
Central Middle School Waterloo 4.9 mi 7.7
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 5.1 mi 6.2
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 5.2 mi 5.5
Cunningham School Waterloo 5.6 mi 6.6
Poyner Elementary Evansdale 4.8 mi 8.0
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 6.1 mi 8.0

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 Orange 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
Cornell Elementary School Des Moines, IA 7.9
Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton, IA 7.9
Hinton Elementary School Hinton, IA 7.9
Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 7.9
John Cline Elementary School Decorah, IA 7.9
Novak Elementary School Marion, 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 is ranked #152 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Orange Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orange Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Orange Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orange Elementary School has 76.5% math proficiency and 72.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waterloo Comm School District
District Enrollment
10,606
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,652
District Rank
#6 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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