Below Average
#1038 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
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina elementary schools
#593 of 680
In district
#7 of 9
Laurens 55
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Waterloo Elementary
Waterloo Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural area of Waterloo, South Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 257 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Waterloo Elementary offers small class sizes that support individual attention for each child.
Waterloo Elementary's academic performance places it in the lower ranks among South Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.6 out of 10. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency is at 30%, and math proficiency stands at 25%—indicating areas for improvement but also room for growth. Waterloo Elementary focuses on nurturing young minds in a supportive rural setting, fostering a sense of community among students, teachers, and families.
The school's setting provides a quiet and close-knit environment conducive to learning and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Waterloo Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Waterloo Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 6 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: 2.7/10.
How Waterloo Elementary Compares
See how Waterloo Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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. Merrywood Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Greenwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Woodfields Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Greenwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, E. B. Morse Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Laurens), 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 | 6.7 |
| Laurens Middle Laurens | 8.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Sanders Middle Laurens | 8.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Laurens District 55 High Laurens | 9.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Laurens Elementary Laurens | 10.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Ford Elementary Laurens | 11.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Brewer Middle Greenwood | 11.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Woodfields Elementary Greenwood | 11.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Eleanor S. Rice Elementary Greenwood | 11.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Pinecrest Elementary Greenwood | 11.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Clinton Elementary Clinton | 11.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Merrywood Elementary Greenwood | 11.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Greenwood High Greenwood | 11.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Ware Shoals Primary Ware Shoals | 11.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Northside Middle Greenwood | 11.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Ware Shoals High Ware Shoals | 11.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Thornwell Charter School Clinton | 11.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Ninety Six Primary Ninety Six | 13.6 mi | 5.5 |
| M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton | 12.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle Gray Court | 13.0 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waterloo Elementary has a median household income of $50,587. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,600, with a median rent of $641/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Ruby Elementary Ruby, SC | 4.2 |
| Sampit Elementary Georgetown, SC | 4.2 |
| Wallace Gregg Elementary Florence, SC | 4.2 |
| Ambler Elementary Pickens, SC | 4.5 |
| Draytonville Elementary Gaffney, SC | 4.1 |
| Brockington Elementary Darlington, SC | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #1038 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Waterloo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterloo Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterloo Elementary has 25.3% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,258/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (864) 677-5610
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laurens 55- District Enrollment
- 5,206
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,216
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
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 methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.