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:
492^nd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,090

Students who attend Lowell Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Bunger Middle School
High:	West High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.2

Number of students: 480

Racial breakdown:

White:

31.7%

African American:

31.0%

Hispanic:

20.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 77.3%

See top rated Iowa elementary schools

Compare Lowell Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Lowell Elementary School ranks worse than 88.3% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 9^th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.95. (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 Student population at Lowell Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (31.7%), African American (31%), Hispanic (20%). (See more...)

Compare Details 77.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lowell Elementary School is 12.2, which is the 3^rd best among 11 elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Lowell Elementary School employs 39.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lowell Elementary School is $14,090, which is the 3^rd 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 293^rd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Lowell Elementary School

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

See the entire list of Iowa Elementary 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 Lowell Elementary School

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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
2024	152	149	18	96	1	21	43	0	480

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

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
2024	480	39.2	12.2	77.3

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

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
2024	480	39.2	12.2	77.3

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

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total 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 559^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 503^rd 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)	46.5	54.7	8.2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	50.3	54.6	4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary School)	41.9	66	24.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	49.5	67.5	18%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Elementary School)	60.9	47.2	13.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	54.7	59.6	4.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary School)	50	43.4	6.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	53.5	61.9	8.4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Elementary School)	54.3	52.8	1.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Waterloo Community School District)	56	60.2	4.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Lowell Elementary School)	39.1	54.7	15.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Waterloo Community School District)	55.7	70	14.3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	310	513	65.5%
African American	72	142	97.2%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	17	25	47.1%
Hispanic	60	101	68.3%
Pacific Islander	10	20	100%
White	105	156	48.6%
Two or More Races	46	69	50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	76.1%	73.7%	2.4%

Schools Near Lowell Elementary 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 3rd Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Lowell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1628 Washington St	Waterloo	50702	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-1900	480	39	12.2	77.3%	152 (31.7%)	149 (31.0%)	96 (20.0%)	18 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (4.4%)	43 (9.0%)	14	492^nd of 557 public elementary schools	11.7%		15.5	503^rd of 565 public elementary schools	11.0%	11	50.0	56.7	60.0	44.7	46.7	52.0	42.0	$14,090	$1,974	$12,115
Irving Elementary School	Public	K-5	1115 W. 5th Street	Waterloo	50702	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2800	388	33	11.9	90.2%	89 (22.9%)	139 (35.8%)	54 (13.9%)	13 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (9.5%)	56 (14.4%)	32.3	436^th of 557 public elementary schools	21.7%		26.5	456^th of 565 public elementary schools	19.3%	20	67.9	50.9	55.2	75.5	58.5	70.7	44.8	$13,386	$1,643	$11,742
Kittrell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1304 Oregon St	Waterloo	50702	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2910	613	45	13.6	75.5%	232 (37.8%)	158 (25.8%)	91 (14.8%)	54 (8.8%)	2 (0.3%)	28 (4.6%)	48 (7.8%)	26.9	451^st of 557 public elementary schools	19.0%		24.5	464^th of 565 public elementary schools	17.9%	13	63.5	57.3	50.0	74.3	64.6	61.7	40.4	$12,433	$1,211	$11,221
Highland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	812 Idaho St	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2630	462	37	12.3	87.2%	124 (26.8%)	141 (30.5%)	120 (26.0%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.0%)	58 (12.6%)	12	502^nd of 557 public elementary schools	9.9%		31.3	435^th of 565 public elementary schools	23.0%	67	41.3	50.9	43.3	54.0	63.2	61.2	22.4	$12,711	$1,327	$11,383
Kingsley Elementary School	Public	K-5	201 Sunset Rd	Waterloo	50701	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2210	355	27	13.3	55.5%	198 (55.8%)	46 (13.0%)	31 (8.7%)	16 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.1%)	53 (14.9%)	61.6	232^nd of 557 public elementary schools	58.3%		73.4	130^th of 565 public elementary schools	77.0%	102	72.5	73.8	70.8	88.2	85.2	66.7	56.3	$12,606	$882	$11,722
Cunningham School	Public	PK, KG-5	1224 Mobile St	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2600	401	33	12.1	91.5%	39 (9.7%)	231 (57.6%)	49 (12.2%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (7.0%)	51 (12.7%)	3.2	545^th of 557 public elementary schools	2.2%		9.8	526^th of 565 public elementary schools	6.9%	19	35.0	40.3	38.5	50.0	38.8	48.1	25.0	$14,512	$2,793	$11,718
Lou Henry Elementary School	Public	K-5	312 Rachael St	Waterloo	50701	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2860	456	35	13.0	65.8%	201 (44.1%)	151 (33.1%)	26 (5.7%)	33 (7.2%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.8%)	36 (7.9%)	45.9	356^th of 557 public elementary schools	36.1%		41.5	386^th of 565 public elementary schools	31.7%	30	64.2	56.9	76.5	76.1	60.0	74.1	55.6	$13,402	$1,114	$12,288
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	302 Cedar Bend St	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-1990	492	33	14.8	87.8%	104 (21.1%)	226 (45.9%)	54 (11.0%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.9%)	73 (14.8%)	15.4	486^th of 557 public elementary schools	12.7%		15.5	502^nd of 565 public elementary schools	11.2%	16	51.0	56.9	33.3	71.4	60.0	53.0	27.3	$14,309	$1,947	$12,361
Fred Becker Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1239 Sheldon St	Waterloo	50701	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-2180	457	35	13.0	78.6%	186 (40.7%)	123 (26.9%)	57 (12.5%)	10 (2.2%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.8%)	58 (12.7%)	15.1	489^th of 557 public elementary schools	12.2%		14.6	506^th of 565 public elementary schools	10.4%	17	44.4	52.7	48.5	61.9	58.2	54.5	47.0	$13,341	$1,146	$12,194
Poyner Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1138 Central Ave	Evansdale	50707	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-1534	360	28	12.7	67.8%	227 (63.1%)	38 (10.6%)	38 (10.6%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	52 (14.4%)	31	440^th of 557 public elementary schools	21.0%		40.8	392^nd of 565 public elementary schools	30.6%	48	63.3	67.9	55.1	69.4	67.9	59.2	38.8	$13,693	$1,573	$12,118

Frequently Asked Questions about Lowell Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Lowell Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Bunger Middle School
High : West High School

How many students attend Lowell Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 480 students attended Lowell Elementary School.

What district is Lowell Elementary School in?

Waterloo Community School District

Is Lowell Elementary School a good school?

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

What is the racial makeup of Lowell Elementary School?

Students at Lowell Elementary School are 32% White, 31% African American, 20% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 4% Pacific Islander, 4% Asian.

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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.