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Below Average

#3414 of 3,813 schools in IL

Waterloo Junior High School

Middle School · Waterloo CUSD 5

200 Bellefontaine Dr, Waterloo, IL 62298

Enrollment

574

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterloo

#4 of 5

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#627 of 684

In district

#4 of 5

Waterloo CUSD 5

Academic performance

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Waterloo Junior High School

Waterloo Junior High School serves 574 students in grades 6-8 in Waterloo, Illinois, offering a solid middle school experience with a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 35 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns strong recognition with a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #823 out of 3,819 Illinois schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide. Academically, Waterloo Junior High demonstrates notable performance with an 8.9 out of 10 academic score.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 50% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above, reflecting the school's commitment to literacy development during these crucial middle school years. The school serves a well-established community where families enjoy economic stability, with a median household income of $93,066 and median home values of $246,600. The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 3.9%, and 34% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive educational environment.

Located on Bellefontaine Drive in Monroe County, Waterloo Junior High School sits in a town on the fringe of an urban area, providing students with access to both small-town community feel and broader metropolitan resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,458

Waterloo Junior High School — Students at Waterloo Junior High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2022
ELA
50%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Waterloo Junior High School Compares

See how Waterloo Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in IL
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

200 Bellefontaine Dr, Waterloo, IL 62298

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waterloo Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Valmeyer Jr High (rated 5.5/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Valmeyer), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Millstadt Consolidated School (rated 5.5/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Millstadt), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Columbia Middle School (rated 3.8/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
W J Zahnow Elem School Waterloo 0.3 mi 5.0
Rogers Elem School Waterloo 0.3 mi 4.4
Gardner Elementary School Waterloo 0.3 mi 4.8
GIBAULT CATHOLIC Waterloo 0.7 mi 7.5
Waterloo High School Waterloo 1.4 mi 5.9
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Columbia 7.6 mi 5.2
Eagleview Elementary School Columbia 7.7 mi 5.2
Columbia Middle School Columbia 8.2 mi 3.8
Columbia High School Columbia 8.4 mi 5.9
Parkview Elementary School Columbia 8.5 mi 5.4
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Millstadt 8.9 mi 6.4
Valmeyer High School Valmeyer 7.4 mi 5.2
Valmeyer Elementary School Valmeyer 7.4 mi 5.5
Valmeyer Jr High Valmeyer 7.4 mi 5.5
Millstadt Consolidated School Millstadt 9.1 mi 5.5
Millstadt Primary Center Millstadt 9.3 mi 6.8
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Smithton 9.6 mi 5.3
Smithton Elem School Smithton 9.7 mi 5.7
Bluffview Elem School Dupo 12.5 mi 5.3
Dupo Jr High School Dupo 12.6 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 Waterloo Junior 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
Charleston Middle School Charleston, IL 4.6
Herrick Middle School Downers Grove, IL 4.6
Spencer Crossing New Lenox, IL 4.6
Carterville Jr High Sch Carterville, IL 4.5
Central Middle School Burlington, IL 4.5
Frederick School Grayslake, IL 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waterloo Junior High School

What grades does Waterloo Junior High School serve?

Waterloo Junior High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Waterloo Junior High School?

Waterloo Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 574 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterloo Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Waterloo Junior High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waterloo Junior High School rank in IL?

Waterloo Junior High School is ranked #3414 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Waterloo Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Waterloo Junior High School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterloo Junior High School has 42.5% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waterloo Junior High School a charter school?

No, Waterloo Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waterloo Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Waterloo Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterloo Junior High School?

19.3% of students at Waterloo Junior 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.

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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
574
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.3%
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
#4 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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