Highland Elementary School

Summary:

Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterloo, Iowa, serving 477 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Waterloo Community School District, which is ranked 293 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highland Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom half of Iowa elementary schools, with a ranking between 435-502 out of 557-574 schools over the past several years. The school's performance on the ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) tests is also below the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. Additionally, Highland Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 84.91% to 89.14% over the past three school years, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools like Orange Elementary, Lou Henry Elementary, and Kingsley Elementary.

The combination of low academic performance and high poverty levels at Highland Elementary may present unique challenges for the school and district in terms of providing the necessary resources and support to help students succeed. Identifying and addressing the specific factors contributing to the school's underperformance, such as teaching quality, curriculum, and student support services, could be crucial in helping Highland Elementary School improve its outcomes and better serve its diverse student population.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703

(319) 433-2630

District: Waterloo Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
502^nd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,711

Students who attend Highland Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	George Washington Carver Academy
High:	East High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.3

Number of students: 462

Racial breakdown:

African American:

30.5%

White:

26.8%

Hispanic:

26.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 87.2%

See top rated Iowa elementary schools

Compare Highland Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Highland Elementary School ranks worse than 90.1% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 10^th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 12.03. (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 Highland Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (30.5%), White (26.8%), Hispanic (26%). (See more...)

Compare Details 87.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 12.3, which is the 4^th best among 11 elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Highland Elementary School employs 37.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highland Elementary School is $12,711. 7 elementary schools in the Waterloo Community School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Highland 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 Highland Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	7.35	601^st	626	4.0%
2013	2.71	616^th	624	1.3%
2014	4.30	582^nd	603	3.5%
2015	15.67	545^th	616	11.5%
2016	16.60	528^th	599	11.9%
2017	16.00	503^rd	574	12.4%
2018	23.74	470^th	567	17.1%
2019	23.57	501^st	603	16.9%
2021	21.91	475^th	567	16.2%
2022	28.82	450^th	574	21.6%
2023	31.32	435^th	565	23.0%
2024	12.03	502^nd	557	9.9%

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 Highland Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	305	198	4	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
1989	331	176	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	510
1990	323	214	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	542
1991	283	233	9	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	525
1992	314	225	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	540
1993	293	232	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	526
1994	299	225	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	532
1995	267	247	2	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	525
1996	267	247	2	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	525
1997	253	225	4	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	489
1998	246	261	1	3	3	n/a	n/a	0	514
1999	257	272	1	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	537
2000	250	252	3	7	3	n/a	n/a	-19	496
2001	272	231	1	16	3	n/a	n/a	0	523
2002	257	130	0	17	2	n/a	n/a	0	406
2003	257	130	0	17	2	n/a	n/a	0	406
2004	256	141	2	26	1	n/a	n/a	0	426
2005	210	127	7	47	0	n/a	n/a	0	391
2006	237	141	6	50	3	n/a	n/a	0	437
2007	239	139	5	96	3	n/a	n/a	0	482
2008	234	124	5	116	3	n/a	n/a	0	482
2009	212	151	6	112	0	n/a	n/a	0	481
2010	207	133	3	119	3	4	21	0	490
2011	186	139	1	135	3	8	34	0	506
2012	178	155	1	144	2	6	40	0	526
2013	163	146	2	139	1	12	46	0	509
2014	161	151	2	153	2	13	48	0	530
2015	157	159	8	171	1	19	47	0	562
2016	168	165	9	168	1	12	52	0	575
2017	176	163	11	176	2	9	50	0	587
2018	158	172	8	174	4	15	58	0	589
2019	156	173	7	163	4	14	63	0	580
2020	136	178	3	154	3	16	69	0	559
2021	140	168	1	148	3	10	64	0	534
2022	135	131	2	152	3	16	52	0	491
2023	122	135	2	139	3	14	62	0	477
2024	124	141	4	120	1	14	58	0	462

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 Highland Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	507	26.0	19.5	57
1989	510	25.5	20.0	59.4
1990	542	25.0	21.6	0
1991	525	24.5	21.4	60.8
1992	540	41.0	13.1	8.1
1993	526	26.1	20.2	57.8
1994	532	29.0	18.3	54.9
1995	525	46.5	11.3	67.4
1996	525	46.5	11.3	67.4
1997	489	21.0	23.3	60.9
1998	514	27.0	19.0	79.8
1999	537	28.0	19.2	86
2000	496	26.0	19.1	76.7
2001	523	23.0	22.7	81.5
2002	406	40.4	10.0	77.8
2003	406	40.4	10.0	77.8
2004	426	38.8	11.0	83.8
2005	391	32.6	12.0	63.7
2006	437	38.6	11.3	54.9
2007	482	36.8	13.1	66.2
2008	482	41.0	11.8	73.9
2009	481	42.0	11.5	71.1
2010	490	44.0	11.1	74.5
2011	506	41.0	12.3	86.8
2012	526	41.9	12.5	86.5
2013	509	43.5	11.6	90.4
2014	530	42.5	12.4	90.8
2015	562	47.0	11.9	90.4
2016	575	40.0	14.3	88.7
2017	587	44.0	13.3	89.6
2018	589	46.1	12.7	65
2019	580	45.0	12.8	75.9
2020	559	45.8	12.2	88.6
2021	534	44.9	11.8	89.1
2022	491	39.9	12.3	87.4
2023	477	36.6	13.0	84.9
2024	462	37.3	12.3	87.2

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 Highland Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	507	26.0	19.5	57
1989	510	25.5	20.0	59.4
1990	542	25.0	21.6	0
1991	525	24.5	21.4	60.8
1992	540	41.0	13.1	8.1
1993	526	26.1	20.2	57.8
1994	532	29.0	18.3	54.9
1995	525	46.5	11.3	67.4
1996	525	46.5	11.3	67.4
1997	489	21.0	23.3	60.9
1998	514	27.0	19.0	79.8
1999	537	28.0	19.2	86
2000	496	26.0	19.1	76.7
2001	523	23.0	22.7	81.5
2002	406	40.4	10.0	77.8
2003	406	40.4	10.0	77.8
2004	426	38.8	11.0	83.8
2005	391	32.6	12.0	63.7
2006	437	38.6	11.3	54.9
2007	482	36.8	13.1	66.2
2008	482	41.0	11.8	73.9
2009	481	42.0	11.5	71.1
2010	490	44.0	11.1	74.5
2011	506	41.0	12.3	86.8
2012	526	41.9	12.5	86.5
2013	509	43.5	11.6	90.4
2014	530	42.5	12.4	90.8
2015	562	47.0	11.9	90.4
2016	575	40.0	14.3	88.7
2017	587	44.0	13.3	89.6
2018	589	46.1	12.7	65
2019	580	45.0	12.8	75.9
2020	559	45.8	12.2	88.6
2021	534	44.9	11.8	89.1
2022	491	39.9	12.3	87.4
2023	477	36.6	13.0	84.9
2024	462	37.3	12.3	87.2

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 Highland Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,327 (10.4%)	$11,383 (89.6%)	$12,711

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland 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 501^st of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 435^th of 565 Elementary schools	6.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highland Elementary School)	47.5	48.4	0.9%
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 (Highland Elementary School)	47.5	67.2	19.7%
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 (Highland Elementary School)	47.5	55.7	8.2%
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 (Highland Elementary School)	61.3	67.1	5.8%
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 (Highland Elementary School)	62.2	65.1	2.9%
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 (Highland Elementary School)	74.4	74.7	0.3%
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	580	477	17.8%
African American	173	135	22%
American Indian	4	3	25%
Asian	7	2	71.4%
Hispanic	163	139	14.7%
Pacific Islander	14	14
White	156	122	21.8%
Two or More Races	63	62	1.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	75.9%	84.9%	9%

Schools Near Highland 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Highland Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : George Washington Carver Academy
High : East High School

Is Highland Elementary School a good school?

Highland Elementary School ranks in the bottom 9.9% of Iowa elementary schools.

How many students attend Highland Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 462 students attended Highland Elementary School.

What district is Highland Elementary School in?

Waterloo Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Highland Elementary School?

Students at Highland Elementary School are 31% African American, 27% White, 26% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 3% 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.