Average
#2319 of 3,813 schools in IL
Waterloo High School
High School · Waterloo CUSD 5
505 E Bulldog, Waterloo, IL 62298
Enrollment
879
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
879
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterloo
#1 of 5
public schools
Illinois high schools
#445 of 703
In district
#1 of 5
Waterloo CUSD 5
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Waterloo High School
Waterloo High School serves 879 students in grades 9-12 in the town of Waterloo, Illinois, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 and 50 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 62nd percentile statewide at #1435 out of 3819 Illinois high schools, indicating solid performance among the state's secondary schools. Academically, Waterloo High School demonstrates steady achievement with an academic score of 7.7 out of 10.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 39% of students across all grade levels perform at proficient or above levels, providing a foundation for continued growth in literacy skills. The school draws from a stable community where families have established strong roots. The surrounding 62298 zip code area, home to 17,192 residents, features a median household income of $93,066 and median home values of $246,600.
About one-third of area adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains notably low at just 3.9%, reflecting the community's economic stability. Waterloo High School is situated on the fringe of an urban area, offering students both small-town familiarity and access to broader metropolitan resources and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Waterloo High School — Students at Waterloo High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Waterloo High School Compares
See how Waterloo High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 39% (2022).
Location
505 E Bulldog, Waterloo, IL 62298
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterloo High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GIBAULT CATHOLIC (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbia High School (rated 5.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Valmeyer High School (rated 5.2/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Valmeyer), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner Elementary School Waterloo | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Rogers Elem School Waterloo | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Waterloo Junior High School Waterloo | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| W J Zahnow Elem School Waterloo | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| GIBAULT CATHOLIC Waterloo | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Columbia | 9.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Eagleview Elementary School Columbia | 9.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Valmeyer High School Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Valmeyer Elementary School Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Valmeyer Jr High Valmeyer | 7.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Columbia Middle School Columbia | 9.6 mi | 3.8 |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Millstadt | 10.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Columbia High School Columbia | 9.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Millstadt Consolidated School Millstadt | 10.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Parkview Elementary School Columbia | 9.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Millstadt Primary Center Millstadt | 10.4 mi | 6.8 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Smithton | 10.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Smithton Elem School Smithton | 10.0 mi | 5.7 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Red Bud | 10.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Red Bud High School Red Bud | 11.1 mi | 5.2 |
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 Waterloo High 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbia High School Columbia, IL | 5.9 |
| Herscher High School Herscher, IL | 5.9 |
| Noble St Chtr-Noble Campus Chicago, IL | 5.9 |
| Oregon Jr/Sr High School Oregon, IL | 5.9 |
| Rantoul Twp High School Rantoul, IL | 5.9 |
| Manteno High School Manteno, IL | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waterloo High School
What grades does Waterloo High School serve?
Waterloo High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Waterloo High School?
Waterloo High School has an enrollment of approximately 879 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterloo High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterloo High School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waterloo High School rank in IL?
Waterloo High School is ranked #2319 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Waterloo High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterloo High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Waterloo High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterloo High School has 41.0% math proficiency and 41.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waterloo High School a charter school?
No, Waterloo High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waterloo High School a Title I school?
No, Waterloo High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterloo High School?
20.0% of students at Waterloo 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
- County Safety
- Low (29/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 879
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Monroe County
- Phone
- (618) 939-3455
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterloo CUSD 5- District Enrollment
- 2,742
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,591
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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