Top Rankings
Waterloo Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 3,273 students in Waterloo Comm School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Iowa.
Public High Schools in Waterloo Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Public High School in Waterloo Comm School District have a Graduation Rate of 71%, which is less than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is West High School, with 85% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
18 Schools
365 Schools
# Students
10,484 Students
169,146 Students
# Teachers
764 Teachers
11,046 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Waterloo Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 71% has decreased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#307 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
63%
Graduation Rate
71%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.74
0.46
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
2%
% Hispanic
15%
13%
% Black
29%
7%
% White
38%
72%
% Hawaiian
4%
1%
% Two or more races
11%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,749 is higher than the state median of $16,592. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,668 is less than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$176 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$164 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,749
$16,592
Spending / Student
$15,668
$16,163
Best Waterloo Comm School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
425 E Ridgeway Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,696 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #22.
East High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,016 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #33.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 6-12 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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