Top Rankings
Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 574 students in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5. This district's average middle testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public middle schools in Illinois.
Public Middle School in Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 29% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
5 Schools
1,599 Schools
# Students
2,742 Students
621,275 Students
# Teachers
170 Teachers
47,955 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Waterloo Community Unit School District 5, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 864 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has increased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#91 out of 865 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
50%
Graduation Rate
93%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.11
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
3%
30%
% Black
1%
22%
% White
94%
39%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,067 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,423. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,616 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$41 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$37 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,067
$22,423
Spending / Student
$13,616
$21,662
Best Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Waterloo Junior High School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Bellefontaine Dr
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3457
Waterloo, IL 62298
(618) 939-3457
Gr: 6-8 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Recent Articles
Public School Open House & Enrollment Season Guide
A parent-focused guide to the public school open house and enrollment season, with expert questions, timelines, and decision tips.
School Supply Budget 2026: Fees, Books, Tech Costs
School Supply Budget 2026 guide for parents, covering fees, textbooks, technology, and hidden extras to plan ahead.
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Comprehensive 2025 update on public school funding in America, new federal and state policies, per-pupil spending, and equity challenges.
