East High School

Summary:

East High School is a public high school located in Waterloo, Iowa, serving 1,022 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Waterloo Community School District, which is ranked 293 out of 309 districts in the state.

East High School consistently underperforms compared to the Waterloo district and the state of Iowa in standardized test scores. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of 10th-grade students proficient or better in ISASP/English Language Arts was 55.9% at East High School, compared to 60.8% in the Waterloo district and 73.8% statewide. The school has been ranked in the bottom 10% of Iowa high schools for the past several years and has received a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating it is among the lowest-performing schools in the state. East High School also has a significantly higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch compared to nearby schools, ranging from 71.86% to 75.37% over the past three school years.

When comparing East High School to higher-performing schools in the region, such as Union High School, Dike-New Hartford High School, and Denver Senior High School, the academic achievement gap is substantial, with these schools consistently outperforming East High School and the Waterloo district on standardized tests by 20-30 percentage points. Despite having a higher per-student spending of $15,126 compared to the nearby West High School's $13,055 per student, the higher spending does not appear to translate into better academic outcomes for East High School.

Detail:

Public 9-12

214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703

(319) 433-2400

District: Waterloo Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
316^th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,126

Feeder schools for East High School:

Elementary:	Cunningham School
	Highland Elementary School
	Lincoln Elementary School
	Poyner Elementary
Middle:	Bunger Middle School
	George Washington Carver Academy

Student/teacher ratio: 17.2

Number of students: 1,022

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.5%

African American:

32.1%

Hispanic:

16.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 73.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details East High School ranks worse than 93.5% of high schools in Iowa. It also ranks 2^nd among 3 ranked high schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.56. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at East High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details East High School has the largest high school student body size in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at East High School is $15,126, which is the highest among 3 high schools in the Waterloo Community School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

East High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks East High School 316^th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See East High School in the ranking list.)

Waterloo Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waterloo Community School District 293^rd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for East High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	26.45	303^rd	351	13.7%
2013	30.14	299^th	351	14.8%
2014	12.87	295^th	322	8.4%
2015	10.31	299^th	324	7.7%
2016	17.79	280^th	320	12.5%
2017	19.91	285^th	325	12.3%
2018	27.92	266^th	320	16.9%
2019	11.84	305^th	327	6.7%
2021	9.03	306^th	327	6.4%
2022	14.78	301^st	332	9.3%
2023	7.18	318^th	336	5.4%
2024	7.56	316^th	338	6.5%

See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for East High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	924	283	3	8	5	n/a	n/a	1223
1989	1142	324	8	7	4	n/a	n/a	1485
1990	1061	312	12	7	4	n/a	n/a	1396
1991	1060	305	12	8	4	n/a	n/a	1389
1992	1045	322	7	8	2	n/a	n/a	1384
1993	1073	64	12	8	2	n/a	n/a	1159
1994	1041	333	10	9	2	n/a	n/a	1395
1995	799	294	4	6	2	n/a	n/a	1105
1996	799	294	4	6	2	n/a	n/a	1105
1997	889	332	9	8	4	n/a	n/a	1242
1998	793	398	12	9	7	n/a	n/a	1219
1999	706	355	9	5	4	n/a	n/a	1079
2000	678	382	12	15	3	n/a	n/a	1090
2001	696	385	12	20	3	n/a	n/a	1116
2002	762	396	10	22	6	n/a	n/a	1196
2003	762	396	10	22	6	n/a	n/a	1196
2004	700	409	11	27	6	n/a	n/a	1153
2005	761	406	13	27	9	n/a	n/a	1216
2006	750	433	16	34	4	n/a	n/a	1237
2007	721	504	13	42	4	n/a	n/a	1284
2008	723	509	10	38	4	n/a	n/a	1284
2009	705	484	8	56	2	n/a	n/a	1255
2010	590	375	6	62	5	3	93	1134
2011	572	324	6	77	5	0	94	1078
2012	541	323	8	84	2	1	87	1046
2013	545	329	9	94	2	4	87	1070
2014	550	358	11	105	1	6	67	1098
2015	524	343	14	116	2	8	61	1068
2016	489	335	12	110	2	8	52	1008
2017	453	320	10	107	1	8	53	952
2018	438	294	11	100	3	7	55	908
2019	438	329	11	117	3	10	61	969
2020	444	323	10	121	2	12	73	985
2021	425	331	10	142	1	16	86	1011
2022	396	314	9	160	1	20	88	988
2023	404	328	6	169	2	24	89	1022

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at East High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1223	70.9	17.2	24
1989	1485	94.7	15.6	16.4
1990	1396	95.7	14.5	17.1
1991	1389	93.9	14.7	16.3
1992	1384	86.0	16.0	14.6
1993	1159	94.7	12.2	22.4
1994	1395	91.6	15.2	17.4
1995	1105	74.0	14.9	20.5
1996	1105	74.0	14.9	20.5
1997	1242	66.6	18.6	22.1
1998	1219	67.2	18.1	23.1
1999	1079	75.3	14.3	38.1
2000	1090	82.0	13.3	38.5
2001	1116	52.8	21.1	51.2
2002	1196	70.1	17.1	48.1
2003	1196	70.1	17.1	48.1
2004	1153	73.9	15.6	53
2005	1216	69.2	17.6	39.9
2006	1237	81.3	15.2	37.4
2007	1284	75.6	17.0	46.9
2008	1284	69.2	18.6	44.1
2009	1255	71.2	17.6	50.4
2010	1134	77.5	14.6	50.8
2011	1078	65.6	16.4	67
2012	1046	68.8	15.1	66.3
2013	1070	69.7	15.3	64.1
2014	1098	69.7	15.7	63.7
2015	1068	77.0	13.8	73.1
2016	1008	72.0	14.0	68
2017	952	68.2	13.9	61.7
2018	908	62.4	14.5	59.3
2019	969	63.4	15.2	67.2
2020	985	57.3	17.1	68.2
2021	1011	63.5	15.9	75.4
2022	988	60.8	16.2	71.9
2023	1022	59.1	17.2	73.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio East High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1223	70.9	17.2	24
1989	1485	94.7	15.6	16.4
1990	1396	95.7	14.5	17.1
1991	1389	93.9	14.7	16.3
1992	1384	86.0	16.0	14.6
1993	1159	94.7	12.2	22.4
1994	1395	91.6	15.2	17.4
1995	1105	74.0	14.9	20.5
1996	1105	74.0	14.9	20.5
1997	1242	66.6	18.6	22.1
1998	1219	67.2	18.1	23.1
1999	1079	75.3	14.3	38.1
2000	1090	82.0	13.3	38.5
2001	1116	52.8	21.1	51.2
2002	1196	70.1	17.1	48.1
2003	1196	70.1	17.1	48.1
2004	1153	73.9	15.6	53
2005	1216	69.2	17.6	39.9
2006	1237	81.3	15.2	37.4
2007	1284	75.6	17.0	46.9
2008	1284	69.2	18.6	44.1
2009	1255	71.2	17.6	50.4
2010	1134	77.5	14.6	50.8
2011	1078	65.6	16.4	67
2012	1046	68.8	15.1	66.3
2013	1070	69.7	15.3	64.1
2014	1098	69.7	15.7	63.7
2015	1068	77.0	13.8	73.1
2016	1008	72.0	14.0	68
2017	952	68.2	13.9	61.7
2018	908	62.4	14.5	59.3
2019	969	63.4	15.2	67.2
2020	985	57.3	17.1	68.2
2021	1011	63.5	15.9	75.4
2022	988	60.8	16.2	71.9
2023	1022	59.1	17.2	73.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for East High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$451 (3.0%)	$14,674 (97.0%)	$15,126

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on East High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 305^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 318^th of 336 High schools	1.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (East High School)	54.1	51.2	2.9%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	58.2	59.3	1.1%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	74.3	72.9	1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (East High School)	52	48.8	3.2%
10th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	54.1	52	2.1%
10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	67.1	67	0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (East High School)	57.8	54.7	3.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	59.3	58.6	0.7%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (East High School)	50.8	53.4	2.6%
11th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	49.3	55.5	6.2%
11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	66.9	67.3	0.4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	969	1022	5.5%
African American	329	328	0.3%
American Indian	3	2	33.3%
Asian	11	6	45.5%
Hispanic	117	169	44.4%
Pacific Islander	10	24	140%
White	438	404	7.8%
Two or More Races	61	89	45.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	67.2%	73.2%	6%

Schools Near East High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)						ISASP Mathematics (2024)						ISASP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 9th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 10th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 11th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 9th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 10th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 11th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	ISASP Science 10th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
East High School	Public	9-12	214 High St	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2400	1,022	59	17.2	73.2%	404 (39.5%)	328 (32.1%)	169 (16.5%)	6 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	24 (2.3%)	89 (8.7%)	7.6	316^th of 338 public high schools	6.5%		7.2	318^th of 336 public high schools	5.4%	2				50.2	55.9	49.2				43.0	50.0	45.1		34.0	$15,126	$451	$14,674
Expo Alternative Learning Center	Public	6-12	1410 Independence Ave	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-1930	609	34	18.1	84.7%	229 (37.6%)	226 (37.1%)	61 (10.0%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	10 (1.6%)	80 (13.1%)	0.1	335^th of 338 public high schools	0.9%		0.4	332^nd of 336 public high schools	1.2%	3			23.1	30.8	28.0	35.4			30.8	13.0	15.7	12.2	25.0	18.2	$14,570	$546	$14,023
West High School	Public	9-12	425 E Ridgeway Ave	Waterloo	50702	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2700	1,652	97	17.1	62.4%	818 (49.5%)	323 (19.6%)	239 (14.5%)	93 (5.6%)	3 (0.2%)	65 (3.9%)	111 (6.7%)	29.5	271^st of 338 public high schools	19.8%		31.6	263^rd of 336 public high schools	21.7%	8				68.5	68.7	65.9				51.3	64.5	54.6		52.5	$13,055	$432	$12,622
Cedar Falls High School	Public	10-12	1015 Division St	Cedar Falls	50613	Black Hawk County	Cedar Falls Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 553-2500	1,302	95	13.7	23.9%	1,104 (84.8%)	56 (4.3%)	40 (3.1%)	43 (3.3%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	55 (4.2%)	74.8	64^th of 338 public high schools	81.1%		76.8	48^th of 336 public high schools	85.7%	16					81.5	77.8					79.6	79.2		78.4	$13,835	$301	$13,534
Hudson High School	Public	7-12	245 S Washington	Hudson	50643	Black Hawk County	Hudson Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 988-4226	342	25	13.5	26.9%	293 (85.7%)	6 (1.8%)	23 (6.7%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.0%)	83.3	19^th of 338 public high schools	94.4%		84.3	24^th of 336 public high schools	92.9%	5		82.7	78.7	86.7	83.6	90.2		70.7	85.1	78.3	80.3	91.8	59.6	80.3	$13,977	$58	$13,919
Dunkerton High School	Public	6-12	509 Canfield	Dunkerton	50626	Black Hawk County	Dunkerton Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 822-4295	211	20	10.7	38.4%	193 (91.5%)	3 (1.4%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	11 (5.2%)	56	170^th of 338 public high schools	49.7%		50.3	185^th of 336 public high schools	44.9%	15	83.3	77.3	75.0	76.0	90.0	67.6	79.2	81.8	78.6	64.0	73.3	62.2	60.7	70.0	$15,242	$249	$14,993
Denver Senior High School	Public	9-12	800 Longview Drive	Denver	50622	Bremer County	Denver Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 984-5639	262	18	14.2	11.8%	251 (95.8%)	1 (0.4%)	6 (2.3%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.1%)	95	2^nd of 338 public high schools	99.4%		94.8	2^nd of 336 public high schools	99.4%					97.1	97.1	98.5				89.7	89.9	94.1		94.2	$14,874	$81	$14,794
Janesville Junior-Senior High School	Public	6-12	505 Barrick Rd	Janesville	50647	Bremer County	Janesville Consolidated School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 987-2581	237	12	20.2	23.2%	226 (95.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.1%)	77	47^th of 338 public high schools	86.1%		69.8	85^th of 336 public high schools	74.7%	38	80.6	83.3	93.3	86.5	78.3	92.9	77.4	73.8	86.7	75.7	78.3	85.7	93.3	60.9	$12,726	$87	$12,639
Jesup High School	Public	9-12	531 Prospect	Jesup	50648	Buchanan County	Jesup Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 827-1700	278	21	13.4	22.7%	262 (94.2%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.0%)	79.7	34^th of 338 public high schools	89.9%		66.7	101^st of 336 public high schools	69.9%	67				92.5	82.3	84.0				85.1	79.4	92.0		62.9	$13,563	$202	$13,361
Union High School	Public	9-12	200 Adams St	La Porte City	50651	Black Hawk County	Union Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 342-2697	316	27	11.8	27.8%	280 (88.6%)	4 (1.3%)	17 (5.4%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.1%)	66.3	112^th of 338 public high schools	66.9%		55.1	163^rd of 336 public high schools	51.5%	51				75.4	82.1	79.1				73.9	73.8	79.1		66.7	$15,170	$348	$14,821

Frequently Asked Questions about East High School

What district is East High School in?

Waterloo Community School District

What is the racial makeup of East High School?

Students at East High School are 40% White, 32% African American, 17% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 2% Pacific Islander.

How many students attend East High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,022 students attended East High School.

What schools feed into East High School?

East High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Cunningham School
Elementary : Highland Elementary School
Elementary : Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary : Poyner Elementary
Middle : Bunger Middle School
Middle : George Washington Carver Academy

Is East High School a good school?

East High School ranks in the bottom 6.5% of Iowa high schools.

Rate East High School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.