George Washington Carver Academy

Summary:

George Washington Carver Academy is a public middle school in Waterloo, Iowa, serving 442 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Waterloo Community School District, which is ranked 293 out of 309 districts in the state.

George Washington Carver Academy consistently ranks in the bottom 10% of Iowa middle schools, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science significantly lower than the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's 8th-grade proficiency rates were 49.3% in ELA, 54.5% in Math, and 35.8% in Science, compared to the district's 63%, 63.3%, and 48.3%, respectively, and the state's 77.5%, 73.2%, and 65.5%. The school has an extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 88.3% to 90.95% over the past three school years, which is significantly higher than the other schools in the district.

Despite the school's higher spending per student compared to some of the other schools in the district, the academic performance remains significantly lower. This raises questions about the effective allocation and utilization of resources to support student learning. The analysis of George Washington Carver Academy highlights the need for a thorough examination of the school's educational practices, resource allocation, and targeted interventions to address the unique challenges faced by the school and its student population.

Detail:

Public 6-8

1505 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703

(319) 433-2500

District: Waterloo Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
324^th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,466

Students who attend George Washington Carver Academy usually attend:

High:

East High School

Feeder schools for George Washington Carver Academy:

Elementary:	Cunningham School
	Highland Elementary School
	Lincoln Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.6

Number of students: 442

Racial breakdown:

African American:

43.9%

Hispanic:

22.6%

White:

15.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 91%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details George Washington Carver Academy ranks worse than 96.1% of middle schools in Iowa. It also ranks 3^rd among 4 ranked middle schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 3.82. (See more...)

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 George Washington Carver Academy has the largest middle 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 George Washington Carver Academy is $14,466. 2 middle schools in the Waterloo Community School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

George Washington Carver Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks George Washington Carver Academy 324^th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See George Washington Carver Academy 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.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for George Washington Carver Academy

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	2.15	347^th	349	0.6%
2013	4.34	345^th	350	1.4%
2014	4.76	327^th	337	3.0%
2015	2.84	342^nd	349	2.0%
2016	7.90	326^th	343	5.0%
2017	6.39	314^th	327	4.0%
2018	2.19	313^th	318	1.6%
2019	2.24	337^th	342	1.5%
2021	2.41	318^th	324	1.9%
2022	2.29	332^nd	337	1.5%
2023	4.96	319^th	334	4.5%
2024	3.82	324^th	337	3.9%

See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)

100%

Reviews:

by a teacher
Thursday, June 21, 2018

GWCA is a place for students to develop their talents in athletics and music. Students receive instruction from teachers who care about them and love to teach. I have loved being a part of the GWCA staff and love the students I get to work with on a daily basis. We have great kids who are full of potential! Close Quote

Enrollment information for George Washington Carver Academy

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	342	179	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	529
1989	344	190	3	3	1	n/a	n/a	541
1990	341	238	4	5	0	n/a	n/a	588
1991	341	238	2	4	0	n/a	n/a	585
1992	337	238	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	578
1993	313	210	1	4	2	n/a	n/a	530
1994	314	212	0	4	1	n/a	n/a	531
1995	274	214	3	1	0	n/a	n/a	492
1996	274	214	3	1	0	n/a	n/a	492
1997	234	214	3	1	1	n/a	n/a	453
1998	214	215	2	3	2	n/a	n/a	436
1999	221	221	0	4	4	n/a	n/a	450
2000	195	250	3	5	4	n/a	n/a	457
2001	166	259	2	6	5	n/a	n/a	438
2002	134	244	2	20	3	n/a	n/a	403
2003	134	244	2	20	3	n/a	n/a	403
2004	141	283	1	25	3	n/a	n/a	453
2005	150	270	2	19	3	n/a	n/a	444
2006	152	268	2	24	1	n/a	n/a	447
2007	140	226	1	29	2	n/a	n/a	398
2008	120	202	4	39	1	n/a	n/a	366
2009	111	210	3	36	0	n/a	n/a	360
2010	112	239	1	68	0	4	24	448
2011	104	274	5	68	1	5	28	485
2012	111	239	3	79	2	7	24	465
2013	98	230	5	73	2	10	17	435
2014	105	244	4	63	2	7	25	450
2015	84	236	2	76	1	7	32	438
2016	89	237	5	79	0	5	35	450
2017	92	246	7	91	1	6	40	483
2018	78	270	8	83	0	14	35	488
2019	87	269	4	78	0	10	43	491
2020	91	241	4	98	0	8	44	486
2021	95	241	5	100	0	8	38	487
2022	80	202	6	101	0	22	48	459
2023	69	194	3	100	1	28	47	442

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 George Washington Carver Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	529	27.0	19.5	46.7
1989	541	28.2	19.1	42
1990	588	29.5	19.9	50.5
1991	585	29.5	19.8	46.7
1992	578	41.0	14.0	51.4
1993	530	40.7	13.0	48.5
1994	531	40.1	13.2	52.7
1995	492	35.7	13.8	61.8
1996	492	35.7	13.8	61.8
1997	453	21.0	21.6	47.5
1998	436	22.0	19.8	52.8
1999	450	27.0	16.7	70.2
2000	457	17.0	26.9	69.1
2001	438	25.2	17.4	78.3
2002	403	50.1	8.0	80.4
2003	403	50.1	8.0	80.4
2004	453	41.2	11.0	79.9
2005	444	40.9	10.9	65.5
2006	447	38.7	11.6	50.6
2007	398	36.3	11.0	69.8
2008	366	32.7	11.2	70.8
2009	360	33.9	10.6	78.9
2010	448	38.7	11.5	74.8
2011	485	33.6	14.4	88.5
2012	465	41.5	11.1	87.1
2013	435	39.0	11.1	92
2014	450	37.4	12.0	90.4
2015	438	41.0	10.6	91.1
2016	450	40.0	11.2	90.7
2017	483	38.5	12.5	90.7
2018	488	34.0	14.3	58.8
2019	491	36.9	13.3	77
2020	486	35.3	13.7	88.1
2021	487	36.7	13.2	88.3
2022	459	35.8	12.8	89.3
2023	442	34.9	12.6	91

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 George Washington Carver Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	529	27.0	19.5	46.7
1989	541	28.2	19.1	42
1990	588	29.5	19.9	50.5
1991	585	29.5	19.8	46.7
1992	578	41.0	14.0	51.4
1993	530	40.7	13.0	48.5
1994	531	40.1	13.2	52.7
1995	492	35.7	13.8	61.8
1996	492	35.7	13.8	61.8
1997	453	21.0	21.6	47.5
1998	436	22.0	19.8	52.8
1999	450	27.0	16.7	70.2
2000	457	17.0	26.9	69.1
2001	438	25.2	17.4	78.3
2002	403	50.1	8.0	80.4
2003	403	50.1	8.0	80.4
2004	453	41.2	11.0	79.9
2005	444	40.9	10.9	65.5
2006	447	38.7	11.6	50.6
2007	398	36.3	11.0	69.8
2008	366	32.7	11.2	70.8
2009	360	33.9	10.6	78.9
2010	448	38.7	11.5	74.8
2011	485	33.6	14.4	88.5
2012	465	41.5	11.1	87.1
2013	435	39.0	11.1	92
2014	450	37.4	12.0	90.4
2015	438	41.0	10.6	91.1
2016	450	40.0	11.2	90.7
2017	483	38.5	12.5	90.7
2018	488	34.0	14.3	58.8
2019	491	36.9	13.3	77
2020	486	35.3	13.7	88.1
2021	487	36.7	13.2	88.3
2022	459	35.8	12.8	89.3
2023	442	34.9	12.6	91

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 George Washington Carver Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$860 (5.9%)	$13,605 (94.0%)	$14,466

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on George Washington Carver Academy

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 337^th of 342 Middle schools	Ranks 319^th of 334 Middle schools	3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (George Washington Carver Academy)	32.5	47	14.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	50.3	54.9	4.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (George Washington Carver Academy)	31	53.7	22.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	53.2	60.1	6.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	69.9	0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (George Washington Carver Academy)	41.3	53.7	12.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	53.9	62.4	8.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	69.9	74.2	4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (George Washington Carver Academy)	45.7	42.2	3.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	57.5	57.6	0.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	70.1	68.9	1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (George Washington Carver Academy)	38.4	45.1	6.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	58	63	5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	69.5	76	6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (George Washington Carver Academy)	50.7	47.5	3.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	65.3	61.6	3.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.8	72	0.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	491	442	10%
African American	269	194	27.9%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	4	3	25%
Hispanic	78	100	28.2%
Pacific Islander	10	28	180%
White	87	69	20.7%
Two or More Races	43	47	9.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	77%	91%	14%

Schools Near George Washington Carver Academy

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 5th Grade	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 Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 9th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
George Washington Carver Academy	Public	6-8	1505 Logan Ave	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2500	442	35	12.6	91.0%	69 (15.6%)	194 (43.9%)	100 (22.6%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (6.3%)	47 (10.6%)	3.8	324^th of 337 public middle schools	3.9%		5	319^th of 334 public middle schools	4.5%	5		50.4	56.1	49.3			48.9	43.9	54.5			35.8	$14,466	$860	$13,605
Central Middle School	Public	6-8	1350 Katoski Dr	Waterloo	50701	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2100	471	35	13.4	85.4%	121 (25.7%)	170 (36.1%)	76 (16.1%)	21 (4.5%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (8.3%)	43 (9.1%)	2.3	330^th of 337 public middle schools	2.1%		5.9	317^th of 334 public middle schools	5.1%	13		49.3	48.9	50.4			48.6	41.8	45.4			35.5	$16,022	$901	$15,120
Hoover Middle School	Public	6-8	630 Hillcrest Rd	Waterloo	50701	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2830	883	57	15.5	58.9%	487 (55.2%)	184 (20.8%)	72 (8.2%)	48 (5.4%)	2 (0.2%)	18 (2.0%)	72 (8.2%)	42.2	226^th of 337 public middle schools	32.9%		37.4	238^th of 334 public middle schools	28.7%	12		71.2	72.5	76.1			74.7	64.8	77.6			59.8	$12,322	$288	$12,033
Bunger Middle School	Public	6-8	157 S Roosevelt Rd	Evansdale	50707	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2550	431	36	11.8	75.4%	224 (52.0%)	79 (18.3%)	62 (14.4%)	6 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.0%)	47 (10.9%)	17.8	301^st of 337 public middle schools	10.7%		26.3	277^th of 334 public middle schools	17.1%	24		55.8	52.3	68.9			61.3	59.4	66.7			54.1	$14,500	$895	$13,604
Peet Junior High School	Public	7-9	525 E Seerley Blvd	Cedar Falls	50613	Black Hawk County	Cedar Falls Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 553-2710	670	49	13.6	26.6%	552 (82.4%)	36 (5.4%)	14 (2.1%)	25 (3.7%)	1 (0.1%)	6 (0.9%)	36 (5.4%)	76.3	54^th of 337 public middle schools	84.0%		79.4	41^st of 334 public middle schools	87.7%	13			91.0	89.2	88.5			83.4	80.6	85.4		71.0	$12,622	$245	$12,377
Holmes Junior High School	Public	7-9	505 Holmes Dr	Cedar Falls	50613	Black Hawk County	Cedar Falls Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 553-2650	639	47	13.6	28.2%	539 (84.4%)	25 (3.9%)	18 (2.8%)	15 (2.3%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.5%)	37 (5.8%)	79.6	38^th of 337 public middle schools	88.7%		75.3	59^th of 334 public middle schools	82.3%	21			86.8	88.4	86.5			82.4	87.0	84.5		77.7	$13,002	$245	$12,757
Denver Middle School	Public	6-8	800 Longview Drive	Denver	50622	Bremer County	Denver Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 984-6041	207	10	21.0	14.5%	199 (96.1%)	1 (0.5%)	2 (1.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	90.4	4^th of 337 public middle schools	98.8%		92.4	1^st of 334 public middle schools	99.7%	3		97.6	95.8	90.3			95.2	90.1	91.9			79.0	$9,191	$24	$9,168
Jesup Middle School	Public	5-8	531 Prospect	Jesup	50648	Buchanan County	Jesup Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 827-1700	252	16	15.9	20.6%	243 (96.4%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.4%)	66.8	108^th of 337 public middle schools	68.0%		80.9	33^rd of 334 public middle schools	90.1%	75	88.7	76.3	94.5	82.5		84.9	72.4	85.5	86.0		73.6	68.4	$9,239	$118	$9,121
Dike-New Hartford Junior High School	Public	6-8	508 Beaver	New Hartford	50660	Butler County	Dike-New Hartford Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 983-2206	215	11	18.8	15.8%	204 (94.9%)	1 (0.5%)	4 (1.9%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.3%)								(n/a)													$12,362	$276	$12,086
Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School	Public	5-8	501 Heritage Way	Waverly	50677	Bremer County	Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 352-3632	699	52	13.5	22.0%	632 (90.4%)	17 (2.4%)	25 (3.6%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (2.9%)	77.9	44^th of 337 public middle schools	86.9%		81	32^nd of 334 public middle schools	90.4%	12	72.6	84.1	88.2	87.4		84.7	86.6	77.5	83.5		73.2	82.4	$11,433	$283	$11,149

Frequently Asked Questions about George Washington Carver Academy

What high school do graduates of George Washington Carver Academy attend?

Students who attend George Washington Carver Academy usually go on to attend East High School

How many students attend George Washington Carver Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 442 students attended George Washington Carver Academy.

Is George Washington Carver Academy a good school?

George Washington Carver Academy ranks in the bottom 3.9% of Iowa middle schools.

What district is George Washington Carver Academy in?

Waterloo Community School District

What is the racial makeup of George Washington Carver Academy?

Students at George Washington Carver Academy are 44% African American, 23% Hispanic, 16% White, 11% Two or more races, 6% Pacific Islander.

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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.