Needs Improvement
#1116 of 1,176 schools in SC
Waterloo Elementary
Elementary School · Laurens 55
10457 Highway 221 South, Waterloo, SC 29384
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,116 of 1,176
In district
#9 of 9
Laurens 55
School environment
7.3 / 10
Very Good
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Waterloo Elementary
Elementary School in Waterloo · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
E. B. Morse Elementary
8.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Laurens Middle
8.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Waterloo Elementary
Waterloo Elementary is a public elementary school in Waterloo, SC, part of Laurens 55. Waterloo Elementary serves approximately 257 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Waterloo Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,116 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Waterloo Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.7
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Waterloo Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Waterloo Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
32% of students at Waterloo Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Waterloo Elementary — Students at Waterloo Elementary score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from SC 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: 1.4/10.
How Waterloo Elementary Compares
See how Waterloo Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
10457 Highway 221 South, Waterloo, SC 29384
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterloo Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clinton Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Merrywood Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Greenwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ninety Six Primary (rated 6.8/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Ninety Six), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterloo, see our Waterloo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens | 8.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Laurens Middle Laurens | 8.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Sanders Middle Laurens | 8.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Laurens District 55 High Laurens | 9.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Laurens Elementary Laurens | 10.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Ford Elementary Laurens | 11.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Brewer Middle Greenwood | 11.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Woodfields Elementary Greenwood | 11.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Eleanor S. Rice Elementary Greenwood | 11.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Pinecrest Elementary Greenwood | 11.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Clinton Elementary Clinton | 11.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Merrywood Elementary Greenwood | 11.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Greenwood High Greenwood | 11.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Ware Shoals Primary Ware Shoals | 11.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Northside Middle Greenwood | 11.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Ware Shoals High Ware Shoals | 11.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Thornwell Charter School Clinton | 11.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Ninety Six Primary Ninety Six | 13.6 mi | 6.8 |
| M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton | 12.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle Gray Court | 13.0 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29384 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,587
Median Home Value
$148,600
Median Rent
$641/mo
Population
3,440
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
84.4%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
52.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.4 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.4 |
| Bells Elementary Ruffin, SC | 3.4 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.5 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.3 |
| McCormick Elementary Mccormick, SC | 3.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waterloo Elementary
What grades does Waterloo Elementary serve?
Waterloo Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Waterloo Elementary?
Waterloo Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterloo Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterloo Elementary is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waterloo Elementary rank in SC?
Waterloo Elementary ranks #1,116 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Waterloo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterloo Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Waterloo Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Waterloo Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Waterloo Elementary a charter school?
No, Waterloo Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waterloo Elementary a Title I school?
No, Waterloo Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterloo Elementary?
100.0% of students at Waterloo Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 257
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Laurens County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.9%
- Phone
- (864) 677-5610
Resources & Links
District
Laurens 55- District Enrollment
- 5,206
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,216
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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