Below Average
#1013 of 1,280 schools in IA
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
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,713
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,013 of 1,280
In Waterloo
#14 of 16
public schools
In district
#16 of 18
Waterloo Comm School District
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West High School
High School in Waterloo · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Edward School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Columbus Catholic High School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About West High School
West High School is a public high school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District. West High School serves approximately 1,713 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. West High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,013 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for West High School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 4.3
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
50% of students at West High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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West High School — Students at West High School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
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 35 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: 4.1/10.
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 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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), which scores notably higher. Another option is East High School (rated 4.2/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Expo Alternative Learning Center (rated 3.9/10, 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 | 7.2 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Lowell Elementary School Waterloo | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| Orange Elementary School Waterloo | 2.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Cunningham School Waterloo | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Central Middle School Waterloo | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| North Scott High School Eldridge, IA | 4.9 |
| Linn-Mar High School Marion, IA | 5.0 |
| Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA | 4.8 |
| John F Kennedy High School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.8 |
| Muscatine High School Muscatine, IA | 4.8 |
| Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque, IA | 5.1 |
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 ranks #1,013 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West High School's MySchoolScout rating?
West High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 West High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West High School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 49.8%
- Phone
- (319) 433-2700
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90.0%
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 10,606
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,652
- District Rank
- #16 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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