Very Good
#434 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 34% in state
West High School
High School · Waterloo Comm School District
425 E Ridgeway Ave, Waterloo, IA 50702
Enrollment
1,713
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,713
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#9 of 16
public schools
Iowa high schools
#79 of 334
In district
#10 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
About West High School
West High School serves 1,713 students in grades 9-12 in Waterloo, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 and 99 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school operates within a community setting that reflects the working-class character of this Black Hawk County city. Academically, West High School has room for growth, with 65% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 56% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 15th percentile among Iowa high schools, indicating opportunities for continued focus on student academic development. With its substantial enrollment, West High offers the potential for diverse programming and activities that larger schools can provide. The school draws from a neighborhood where the median household income is $58,418 and median home values average $139,000.
About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This ZIP code area is home to approximately 20,818 residents, creating a substantial community presence around the school. West High School sits in the heart of Waterloo, a small city environment that provides students with both urban amenities and the close-knit feel of a smaller community setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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West High School — Students at West High School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.5%
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: 6.9/10.
How West High School Compares
See how West High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 65% (2022).
Location
425 E Ridgeway Ave, Waterloo, IA 50702
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is East High School (rated 5.6/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Expo Alternative Learning Center (rated 5.5/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| East High School Waterloo | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Orange Elementary School Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Cunningham School Waterloo | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 3.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Central Middle School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
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 West High 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedar Falls High School Cedar Falls, IA | 7.2 |
| Northwest High School Waukee, IA | 7.2 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale, IA | 7.2 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA | 6.7 |
| Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA | 6.7 |
| Bettendorf High School Bettendorf, IA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West High School
What grades does West High School serve?
West High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West High School?
West High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,713 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West High School?
The student-teacher ratio at West High School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West High School rank in IA?
West High School is ranked #434 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West High School's MySchoolScout rating?
West High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 West High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West High School has 56.5% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West High School a charter school?
No, West High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West High School a Title I school?
No, West High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West High School?
62.5% of students at West High 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
- Walk Score
- 60 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 26 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 43 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,946/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waterloo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,713
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 99
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Phone
- (319) 433-2700
- 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
- #10 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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