Below Average
#1013 of 1,280 schools in IA
West High School
High School · Waterloo Comm School District · Waterloo, IA
A Waterloo Comm School District high school serving grades 9th – 12th.
425 E Ridgeway Ave, Waterloo, IA 50702
- Math 58% vs IA 67% (2025)
- Reading 67% vs IA 74% (2025)
- 90.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at West High School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
2025 ISASP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 12 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 63% recently.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 65% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 71% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
62.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where West High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 60Somewhat Walkable
- Transit 26Some Transit
- Bike 43Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,946/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Waterloo), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$59,784
Median home value
$145,800
Median rent
$926/mo
College educated
21.2%
Homeownership
59.5%
Poverty rate
12.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 50702; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Catholic High SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.5private | 9–12 | 0.6 mi | 247 | Compare → |
| Waterloo Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.8private | K–12 | 1.3 mi | 241 | Compare → |
| East High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.2 | 9–12 | 2.4 mi | 1,013 | Compare → |
| Expo Alternative Learning CenterEnrollment path unverified | 3.9 | 6–12 | 2.9 mi | 578 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Waterloo Comm School District
- Schools in district
- 18
- Rank in district
- #16 of 18
- District spending per student
- $14,652NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 20.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
West High School is listed in Waterloo Comm School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About West High School
West High School is a public high school in Waterloo, IA, part of Waterloo Comm School District, serving approximately 1,713 students in grades 9th-12th with a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,013 of 1,280 schools in IA. State assessment records show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,713
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 99
- 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%
- Area population (ZIP 50702)
- 21,197
- Area average commute
- 17.7 min
- Area median age
- 36
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 50702; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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