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Very Good

#282 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 15% in state

Dekalb High School

High School · DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist

3424 CR 427, Waterloo, IN 46793

Enrollment

1,052

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterloo

#1 of 3

public schools

Indiana high schools

#52 of 388

In district

#1 of 6

DeKalb Co Ctl United Sch Dist

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Dekalb High School

DeKalb High School serves 1,052 students in grades 9-12 in Waterloo, Indiana, operating as a regular public school in DeKalb County. With 60 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. Academically, DeKalb High School has room for growth, with 31% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels.

The school ranks #1302 out of 1831 Indiana high schools, placing it in the 29th percentile statewide. While these metrics indicate opportunities for improvement, the school's dedicated teaching staff works within a community-focused environment to support student development. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $74,177 and median home values sit at $165,400.

With 18% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 10%, the surrounding area of ZIP code 46793 reflects a working-class community of 4,281 residents. DeKalb High School is positioned in a rural setting near the town of Waterloo, offering students a close-knit educational environment where they can develop both academically and personally within their local community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Dekalb High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70%
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,502

Dekalb High School — Students at Dekalb High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
31%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
31%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Dekalb High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in IN
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers

Location

3424 CR 427, Waterloo, IN 46793

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dekalb High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eastside Junior-Senior High School (rated 6.9/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Butler), with a comparable rating. Another option is Garrett High School (rated 6.2/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Garrett), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hamilton Community High School (rated 5.6/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
DeKalb Middle School Waterloo 0.2 mi 4.4
Waterloo Elementary School Waterloo 2.0 mi 5.5
James R Watson Elementary School Auburn 2.4 mi 5.3
McKenney-Harrison Elementary Sch Auburn 3.2 mi 6.6
Country Meadow Elementary School Ashley 6.0 mi 4.2
J E Ober Elementary School Garrett 6.1 mi 5.3
Garrett Middle School Garrett 6.1 mi 4.1
Garrett High School Garrett 6.1 mi 6.2
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Garrett 6.5 mi 6.3
Riverdale Elementary School Saint Joe 9.6 mi 8.1
Hamilton Community Elementary Sch Hamilton 10.1 mi 9.1
Hamilton Community High School Hamilton 10.1 mi 5.6
Pleasant Lake Elementary School Pleasant Lake 11.7 mi 5.3
Butler Elementary School Butler 8.9 mi 5.0
Eastside Junior-Senior High School Butler 9.3 mi 6.9
OAK FARM SCHOOL Avilla 9.7 mi 8.3
Leo Elementary School Leo 12.8 mi 5.0
Leo Junior/Senior High School Leo 13.0 mi 4.8
GATEWAY WOODS SCHOOL Leo 13.1 mi
CAMPBELL ROAD SCHOOL Spencerville 12.4 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46793 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,412

Median Home Value

$177,500

Median Rent

$840/mo

Population

4,122

College Educated

16.5%

Homeownership

84.5%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dekalb High School has a median household income of $74,412. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $840/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Mississinewa High School Gas City, IN 7.8
Owen Valley Community High School Spencer, IN 7.8
West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School West Lafayette, IN 7.8
West Noble High School Ligonier, IN 7.8
Pendleton Heights High School Pendleton, IN 7.7
Blackford Jr-Sr High School Hartford City, IN 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dekalb High School

What grades does Dekalb High School serve?

Dekalb High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Dekalb High School?

Dekalb High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,052 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dekalb High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dekalb High School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dekalb High School rank in IN?

Dekalb High School is ranked #282 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Dekalb High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dekalb High School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Dekalb High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dekalb High School has 35.0% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dekalb High School a charter school?

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

Is Dekalb High School a Title I school?

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

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

37.7% of students at Dekalb 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

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (149/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,052
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
DeKalb County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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