Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Waterloo Comm School District

Iowa · Public School District
18
Schools
10,527
Students
$16,998
Per-Pupil Spend
+18% nat'l
72.4%
Free Lunch Rate
+20pp vs nat'l
83.2%
Graduation Rate
-3.3pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Waterloo Comm School District is a public school district in Iowa serving 10,527 students across 18 schools. It includes 11 elementary, 4 middle, 3 high schools. Its graduation rate of 83.2% is below the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $16,998 is above average for a US public school district. 72% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 41/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (18)
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Bunger Middle School06–08431
Central Middle School06–08471
George Washington Carver Academy06–08442
Hoover Middle School06–08883
High Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
East High School09–121,022
Expo Alternative Learning Center06–12609
West High School09–121,652
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$16,998+18% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
57%
23%
State
56.9%
Local (property tax)
23.0%
Federal
20.1%

State funding accounts for 57% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
18
Schools
10,527
Students
72%
Free Lunch
$17K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate83.2%
Opportunity Score41/100
StateIowa →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
High per-student investment
Spends $16,998 per pupil — 18% above the national average of $14,347.
Range of school options
With 18 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
72% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
20% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Waterloo Comm School District?
Waterloo Comm School District has 18 public schools, serving a total of 10,527 students.
What is the graduation rate for Waterloo Comm School District?
The graduation rate is 83.2%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Waterloo Comm School District spend per student?
Waterloo Comm School District spends $16,998 per pupil — 18% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Waterloo Comm School District?
72% of students in Waterloo Comm School District qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Waterloo Comm School District?
No, Waterloo Comm School District does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Waterloo Comm School District serve?
Waterloo Comm School District serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Waterloo Comm School District?
The median opportunity score across schools in Waterloo Comm School District is 41/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.