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Average

#3139 of 3,813 schools in IL

Based on limited data

W J Zahnow Elem School

Elementary School · Waterloo CUSD 5

301 Hamacher St, Waterloo, IL 62298

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 1st

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterloo

#2 of 5

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,859 of 2,326

In district

#2 of 5

Waterloo CUSD 5

About W J Zahnow Elem School

W J Zahnow Elem School is an elementary school serving preschool through first grade students in Waterloo, Illinois. With a student body of 473 and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, the school offers personalized attention to its young learners. Located on Hamacher Street, W J Zahnow Elem School sits at the edge of an urban area but within a town setting, offering both community charm and access to nearby amenities.

While specific test score data is not available, the MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 indicates there's room for academic growth and development. The school focuses on fostering early learning skills and providing a nurturing environment for its youngest students. W J Zahnow Elem School is situated in a supportive community that values education and works to create positive educational experiences for all children.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.4Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on IL state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,458

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How W J Zahnow Elem School Compares

See how W J Zahnow Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
18th percentile in IL
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

301 Hamacher St, Waterloo, IL 62298

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering W J Zahnow Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Millstadt Primary Center (rated 6.8/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Millstadt), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Millstadt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smithton Elem School (rated 5.7/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Smithton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Waterloo Junior High School Waterloo 0.3 mi 4.6
Rogers Elem School Waterloo 0.4 mi 4.4
Gardner Elementary School Waterloo 0.5 mi 4.8
GIBAULT CATHOLIC Waterloo 0.6 mi 7.5
Waterloo High School Waterloo 1.7 mi 5.9
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Columbia 7.4 mi 5.2
Eagleview Elementary School Columbia 7.4 mi 5.2
Columbia Middle School Columbia 7.9 mi 3.8
Columbia High School Columbia 8.1 mi 5.9
Parkview Elementary School Columbia 8.3 mi 5.4
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Millstadt 8.6 mi 6.4
Millstadt Consolidated School Millstadt 8.8 mi 5.5
Millstadt Primary Center Millstadt 9.0 mi 6.8
Valmeyer High School Valmeyer 7.5 mi 5.2
Valmeyer Elementary School Valmeyer 7.5 mi 5.5
Valmeyer Jr High Valmeyer 7.5 mi 5.5
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Smithton 9.5 mi 5.3
Smithton Elem School Smithton 9.5 mi 5.7
Bluffview Elem School Dupo 12.3 mi 5.3
Dupo Jr High School Dupo 12.3 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62298 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,073

Median Home Value

$263,200

Median Rent

$884/mo

Population

17,907

College Educated

35.2%

Homeownership

84.3%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

43.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding W J Zahnow Elem School has a median household income of $94,073. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,200, with a median rent of $884/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Berger-Vandenberg Elem School Dolton, IL 5.0
Carol Moseley Braun School Calumet City, IL 5.0
Chicago Academy Elem School Chicago, IL 5.0
Cooper Elem Dual Language Academy Chicago, IL 5.0
Edna Rollins Elem School Aurora, IL 5.0
Elizabeth Ide Elem School Darien, IL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about W J Zahnow Elem School

What grades does W J Zahnow Elem School serve?

W J Zahnow Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 1st.

How many students attend W J Zahnow Elem School?

W J Zahnow Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 473 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at W J Zahnow Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at W J Zahnow Elem School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does W J Zahnow Elem School rank in IL?

W J Zahnow Elem School is ranked #3139 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is W J Zahnow Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

W J Zahnow Elem School has a composite rating of 5.0 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.

Is W J Zahnow Elem School a charter school?

No, W J Zahnow Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is W J Zahnow Elem School a Title I school?

No, W J Zahnow Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W J Zahnow Elem School?

24.3% of students at W J Zahnow Elem 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

County Safety
Low (29/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 1st
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Monroe County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waterloo CUSD 5
District Enrollment
2,742
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,591
District Rank
#2 of 5

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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