Lowell Elementary School

Summary:

Lowell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, Iowa, serving 513 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. While the school has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, its academic performance, as measured by state assessments, is generally lower than the state and district averages.

Lowell Elementary School's academic proficiency rates in English Language Arts range from 50% to 60%, and in Mathematics from 44.7% to 52%, which are below the state averages of 64.2% and 76.3% respectively. The school also has a significantly higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 73.68% to 91.72% over the past three years. In contrast, nearby schools like Orange Elementary School, Kingsley Elementary School, and Lou Henry Elementary School have higher proficiency rates and lower free and reduced lunch rates.

Despite Lowell Elementary School's relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.1 to 13.0 over the past three years, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Iowa elementary schools, with a ranking between 492 and 597 out of 557-616 schools over the past 10 school years. This suggests that the school has faced significant challenges in improving its academic performance, which may be influenced by factors such as the high percentage of students from low-income families.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1628 Washington St
       Waterloo, IA  50702


(319) 433-1900

District: Waterloo Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
492nd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,090 Help


Students who attend Lowell Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Bunger Middle School
High:    West High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.1 Help
Number of students:  513

Racial breakdown:

White:
30.4%
African American:
27.7%
Hispanic:
19.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Lowell Elementary School ranks worse than 88.3% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 9th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.95. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Lowell Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (30.4%), African American (27.7%), Hispanic (19.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 73.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lowell Elementary School is 12.1, which is the 3rd best among 11 elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Lowell Elementary School employs 42.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lowell Elementary School is $14,090, which is the 3rd highest among 11 elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Lowell Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Waterloo Community School District:

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


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Rank History for Lowell Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 1.72 621st 626 0.8%
2013 6.70 599th 624 4.0%
2014 1.47 597th 603 1.0%
2015 3.58 596th 616 3.2%
2016 6.90 572nd 599 4.5%
2017 4.63 545th 574 5.1%
2018 5.21 542nd 567 4.4%
2019 11.81 559th 603 7.3%
2021 12.59 518th 567 8.6%
2022 18.53 497th 574 13.4%
2023 15.51 503rd 565 11.0%
2024 13.95 492nd 557 11.7%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Lowell Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Lowell Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 285 104 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 393
1989 289 103 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 393
1990 300 88 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1991 292 104 2 0 1 n/a n/a 0 399
1992 282 96 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 381
1993 270 92 0 6 2 n/a n/a 0 370
1994 254 106 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 361
1995 250 94 0 2 2 n/a n/a 0 348
1996 250 94 0 2 2 n/a n/a 0 348
1997 233 114 0 8 4 n/a n/a 0 359
1998 214 123 3 15 2 n/a n/a 0 357
1999 201 119 2 9 4 n/a n/a 0 335
2000 198 139 1 11 2 n/a n/a -11 340
2001 198 118 0 12 2 n/a n/a 0 330
2002 158 110 0 19 1 n/a n/a 0 288
2003 158 110 0 19 1 n/a n/a 0 288
2004 148 100 0 28 1 n/a n/a 0 277
2005 175 65 2 38 3 n/a n/a 0 283
2006 199 68 4 48 3 n/a n/a 0 322
2007 187 45 14 40 3 n/a n/a 0 289
2008 158 48 3 35 4 n/a n/a 0 248
2009 186 77 1 62 4 n/a n/a 0 330
2010 168 91 1 79 3 3 15 0 360
2011 165 106 0 78 1 8 19 0 377
2012 181 105 0 75 0 6 19 0 386
2013 156 118 0 76 0 8 29 0 387
2014 162 115 2 73 0 11 29 0 392
2015 163 100 6 71 0 11 36 0 387
2016 116 111 11 63 0 15 36 0 352
2017 98 85 12 57 0 15 42 0 309
2018 94 92 14 55 0 11 42 0 308
2019 105 72 17 60 0 10 46 0 310
2020 100 76 18 66 1 8 41 0 310
2021 87 79 11 59 0 9 45 0 290
2022 75 75 12 57 0 14 37 0 270
2023 156 142 25 101 0 20 69 0 513

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 Lowell Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 393 18.0 21.8 56.2
1989 393 18.0 21.8 59
1990 391 18.0 21.7 61.4
1991 399 18.0 22.1 57.6
1992 381 18.0 21.1 60.4
1993 370 18.0 20.6 62.2
1994 361 17.5 20.6 64.3
1995 348 16.5 21.1 66.7
1996 348 16.5 21.1 66.7
1997 359 15.0 23.9 67.1
1998 357 16.0 22.3 73.4
1999 335 20.0 16.8 83.3
2000 340 18.0 18.9 76.9
2001 330 18.5 17.8 81.2
2002 288 26.5 10.9 79.5
2003 288 26.5 10.9 79.5
2004 277 26.1 10.6 82.3
2005 283 26.5 10.7 65.7
2006 322 26.0 12.4 49.7
2007 289 22.8 12.7 65.4
2008 248 22.6 11.0 63.7
2009 330 25.6 12.9 71.5
2010 360 31.6 11.3 73.6
2011 377 28.0 13.4 88.1
2012 386 32.0 12.0 85.8
2013 387 32.3 11.9 84.5
2014 392 30.6 12.8 86
2015 387 29.0 13.3 88.6
2016 352 30.0 11.7 89.2
2017 309 27.5 11.2 89.3
2018 308 22.2 13.8 66.9
2019 310 24.3 12.7 76.1
2020 310 24.1 12.8 89
2021 290 22.2 13.0 91.7
2022 270 21.1 12.7 85.6
2023 513 42.3 12.1 73.7

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 Lowell Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 393 18.0 21.8 56.2
1989 393 18.0 21.8 59
1990 391 18.0 21.7 61.4
1991 399 18.0 22.1 57.6
1992 381 18.0 21.1 60.4
1993 370 18.0 20.6 62.2
1994 361 17.5 20.6 64.3
1995 348 16.5 21.1 66.7
1996 348 16.5 21.1 66.7
1997 359 15.0 23.9 67.1
1998 357 16.0 22.3 73.4
1999 335 20.0 16.8 83.3
2000 340 18.0 18.9 76.9
2001 330 18.5 17.8 81.2
2002 288 26.5 10.9 79.5
2003 288 26.5 10.9 79.5
2004 277 26.1 10.6 82.3
2005 283 26.5 10.7 65.7
2006 322 26.0 12.4 49.7
2007 289 22.8 12.7 65.4
2008 248 22.6 11.0 63.7
2009 330 25.6 12.9 71.5
2010 360 31.6 11.3 73.6
2011 377 28.0 13.4 88.1
2012 386 32.0 12.0 85.8
2013 387 32.3 11.9 84.5
2014 392 30.6 12.8 86
2015 387 29.0 13.3 88.6
2016 352 30.0 11.7 89.2
2017 309 27.5 11.2 89.3
2018 308 22.2 13.8 66.9
2019 310 24.3 12.7 76.1
2020 310 24.1 12.8 89
2021 290 22.2 13.0 91.7
2022 270 21.1 12.7 85.6
2023 513 42.3 12.1 73.7

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 Lowell Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,974 (14.0%) $12,115 (86.0%) $14,090

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lowell Elementary 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 559th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 503rd of 565 Elementary schools
 3.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Elementary School)46.554.7
 8.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)50.354.6
 4.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary School)41.966
 24.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)49.567.5
 18%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Elementary School)60.947.2
 13.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)54.759.6
 4.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary School)5043.4
 6.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)53.561.9
 8.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Elementary School)54.352.8
 1.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)5660.2
 4.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary School)39.154.7
 15.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)55.770
 14.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students310513
 65.5%
African American72142
 97.2%
American Indian00
Asian1725
 47.1%
Hispanic60101
 68.3%
Pacific Islander1020
 100%
White105156
 48.6%
Two or More Races4669
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients76.1%73.7%
 2.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Lowell Elementary School

Lowell Elementary School ranks in the bottom 11.7% of Iowa elementary schools.

Students at Lowell Elementary School are 30% White, 28% African American, 20% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 5% Asian, 4% Pacific Islander.

In the 2022-23 school year, 513 students attended Lowell Elementary School.

Students who attend Lowell Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bunger Middle School
High : West 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.





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