For the 2025 school year, there are 35 public schools serving 18,409 students in Black Hawk County, IA (there are , serving 2,275 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Black Hawk County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA are Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Black Hawk County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 67% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Black Hawk County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Black Hawk County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Gr: PK-6 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Gr: PK-6 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Southdale Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
627 Orchard Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2900
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2900
Gr: PK-6 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Gr: 7-9 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Dunkerton Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
509 Canfield
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Gr: PK-5 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
Holmes Junior High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
505 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2650
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2650
Gr: 7-9 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #77.
Hudson High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
245 S Washington
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4226
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4226
Gr: 7-12 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #88.
La Porte City Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
515 Fillmore
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-3033
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-3033
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
136 S Washington
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-3239
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-3239
Gr: PK-6 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Cedar Falls High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1015 Division St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2500
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2500
Gr: 10-12 | 1,336 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1111.
Orchard Hill Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3909 Rownd St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2465
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2465
Gr: PK-6 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1212.
North Cedar Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2419 Fern Ave
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2810
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2810
Gr: PK-6 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1313.
Cedar Heights Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2417 Rainbow Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2855
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2855
Gr: PK-6 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1414.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
321 8th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Gr: PK-6 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1515.
Kingsley Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Sunset Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2210
Gr: K-5 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1616.
Orange Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5805 Kimball Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2880
Gr: PK-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1717.
Lou Henry Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
312 Rachael St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2860
Gr: K-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1818.
Hoover Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
630 Hillcrest Rd
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2830
Gr: 6-8 | 831 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1919.
Union High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 Adams St
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-2697
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-2697
Gr: 9-12 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2020.
Poyner Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1138 Central Ave
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-1534
Gr: PK-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2121.
Dunkerton High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
509 Canfield
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Gr: 6-12 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2222.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Gr: PK-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2323.
West High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
425 E Ridgeway Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,713 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2424.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1115 W. 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Gr: K-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2525.
Kittrell Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1304 Oregon St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2626.
Bunger Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
157 S Roosevelt Rd
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2550
Gr: 6-8 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2727.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
302 Cedar Bend St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Gr: PK-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2828.
East High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,013 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2929.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1628 Washington St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #3030.
Fred Becker Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1239 Sheldon St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Gr: PK-5 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #3131.
Central Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Katoski Dr
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3232.
Cunningham School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3333.
George Washington Carver Academy
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1505 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Gr: 6-8 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #3434.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 6-12 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: n/an/a
316 Mc Coy Rd
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2660
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2660
Gr: PK | 131 students Minority enrollment: 43%
Black Hawk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Cedar Falls Alternative High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
3809 Cedar Heights Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2445
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2445
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
1002 W 1st St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2439
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2439
Gr: K-12 | 44 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Expo High School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
927 Franklin
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 9-12
1913 Heath St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-5557
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-5557
Gr: PK | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
136 S Washington, 136 S Washin
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4137
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4137
Gr: 5-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
600 Collins Ave
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2050
Evansdale, IA 50707
(319) 433-2050
Gr: K-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
River Hills (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
2700 Grand Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-7775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-7775
Gr: PK-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
200 E Arlington St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 291-4883
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 291-4883
Gr: K-5 | 79 students Minority enrollment: 64%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Black Hawk County, IA include Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Black Hawk County?
35 public schools are located in Black Hawk County.
What percentage of students in Black Hawk County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Black Hawk County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Black Hawk County?
Black Hawk County public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Black Hawk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Black Hawk County include: West High School vs. East High School, Central Middle School vs. Hoover Middle School, Hoover Middle School vs. Central Middle School
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