2024 Best Schools in Waterloo

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: I volunteered as a mentor for Orchard Hill and I loved my experience working in the school. The faculty are very friendly and very helpful to each individual that walks into the school. It is easy to see that they all work very well together and all have the same goal which is to help the students to the best of their ability.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 430

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• 7-9

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Freshman: My school is excellent! The teachers always push the students to do their best and try there hardest. They give us multiple opportunities to take tests if we don't pass. The students often put encouraging posters in the hallway to boost people's moods. We have several clubs for people who want to be a leader.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 670

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• 7-9

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  9 reviews

Freshman: I love all the experience and the activitys you can do. There are so many options and there are a lot of clubs and after school activities that you can join and be a part of.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 673

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  328 reviews

Senior: CEDAR FALLS HIGH SCHOOL HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS THAT GOES INTO MAKING IT A GREAT HIGH SCHOOL. THE TEACHERS WITHIN THE BUILDING ARE VERY INCLUSIVE AND ENSURE THEIR STUDENTS HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CLASS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM WITH A LOT OF APS AND EVEN DUAL ENROLLMENT WITH COLLEGES WHICH MAKES FOR A WIDE VARIETY AND OPPORTUNITY. One thing I would change about Cedar Falls high school is the BUILDING, THERE'S NO AIR CONDITIONING WHICH CAN MAKE SOME SCHOOL DAYS LONG AND DREADFUL, I'M THE LAST GRADUATING CLASS OF THE ORIGINAL CEDARFALLS HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING AS THEY ARE FINALLY BUILDING A NEW HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH WILL OPEN UP FOR THE CLASS OF 2023... Read 328 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,292

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.9 out of 5  20 reviews

Parent: Excellent! Our child was in another smaller private school in the area and it was not a good environment. WCS is so positive in all things. Our learning so much and has been built up to try new things . The school has standards but not so many the squash individuality. Sports are excellent. They also have band which the other school did not have. I wish we had switched sooner! I hope they can find a bigger place because the school is so positive many from other schools- private and public are switching to WCS! Best private school in the waterloo/cedar falls area!... Read 20 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hudson Community School District, IA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  40 reviews

Senior: I have gone to Hudson Schools since preschool, and it has always had a very inviting staff and faculty. The teachers are easy to talk to, and the homework policy prepares us well for college.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 354

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• grade B+

• Students 474

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Cedar Falls, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  10 reviews

Junior: Overall, Valley excels academically, but fails athletically. Athletics are not major or a focus and we usually do not win many games or championships. However, the teachers are very kind and typically able to teach well and explain the subjects well.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 143

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Gilbertville, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  61 reviews

Parent: Don Bosco is a true family environment. High value of ethics and performance, as it should be. No tolerance for bullying, drugs, over-clustered classrooms, and like distractions of the public schools. Most teachers take the time to know the students individually. Academic programs are good, could be more challenging from middle school up, many high schoolers lack 'common abilities' but that's national if you ask me. More true art instruction, philosophy, sociology, etc would be nice. Admin does an amazing job with what they're given & so does the support staff. The idea that priv schools have so much $ to throw around is a fallacy, they just manage it where it needs to be. The community and Boosters make this school an amazing environment and everyone do everything in their power to help its families! The volunteer work these students do REALLY making a difference and an impact on their attitudes! The can learn a lifetime lesson of giving back and paying it forward in society.... Read 61 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 299

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• grade B+

• Students 245

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hudson Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• grade B

• Students 448

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.45 out of 5  201 reviews

Sophomore: As a sophomore at West High, my experience at the school is nearing its halfway point. One thing I can say is that when you find your niche, you'll find yourself enjoying school at least 80% more. The STEM and elective teachers who truly have passion for what they teach show that through every class. I am also proud to state that West is one of two IB schools in the entire state of Iowa, other than the East high school in the same town. With this being said, countless other options, such as immediate career readiness are promoted and nutured, IB and AP are not the only solutions. West funds for students to take dual enrollment courses at no cost, and even gain certifications for certain careers. Overall, West offers many opportunities that I would strongly encourage Iowa families to consider upon moving. In AP and IB classes, and advanced classes in general, I can say that there is a lack of minority students, but this is consistently being worked on and acknowledged.... Read 201 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,644

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  53 reviews

Sophomore: The best things about Columbus Catholic School is the way we students are greeted by students every day. The teachers there make us feel welcome and safe. The teachers also make sure we don’t fail and want us to sail for success. The worst things about Columbus Catholic School could be the food to be honest. It could be a lot better. I also want more money to go towards the school, so it 100% feels better and feel like paying to go a private school is worth it.... Read 53 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,018

• Student-teacher ratio 52:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Very good! It has a lot of good teachers that do not leave you out. AMAZING Orchestra and Band program the practice everyday!... Read 1 review

• grade B minus

• Students 854

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• grade C+

• Students 542

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.45 out of 5  107 reviews

Senior: The teachers at East High have what made my experience at East worth it. They do not give up on the students and push us to do our bests. They see the good in the students who act out and give students a reason to keep working toward their goals. We have been given many opportunities at our school. We've been given Chromebooks, free lunches, and access to resources to further our education. I am extremely lucky and grateful to be given these opportunities. The only downside about East High is the students are very disrespectful to not only teachers and administration but to each other. It is hard to walk down the hall and not hear someone getting into an argument. But that is something the administration has noticed and they have taken action to fix the situation by asking and sending out surveys on what the school can do to be better. I am a proud East High student and I had a great high school experience because of East and its opportunities.... Read 107 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 988

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• K-5

• grade C+

• Students 437

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: They use technology to help students learn and it is up to date... Read 3 reviews

• grade C

• Students 357

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade C

• Students 635

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• K-5

• grade C

• Students 426

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade C

• Students 475

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• grade C

• Students 491

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Sophomore: I transferred here from a Cedar Falls high school after some major trouble with bullying. It was honestly one of the best decisions of my life, I'm a lot happier here and have many awesome friends. The teachers are well spoken and are very helpful with my studies, along with the staff being some of the most coherent school administrators I've ever encountered.... Read 3 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 688

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Bunger is a wonderful hidden gem in the Waterloo Schools. Small class sizes, challenging classes, and a large emphasis placed on social emotional intelligence. I’m glad my children went there and the high school staff even mentions that they can always identify a Bunger Alum because of their manners, and work ethic.... Read 2 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 468

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Waterloo Community School District, IA•

• 6-8

• grade C minus

• Students 479

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1