At a glance
Reported students
448
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
37.5
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
11.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
78th percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
466
Highland Elementary School: 448 reported students.
State peer staffing position
25th percentile
11.9:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 459
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39.9
- Student–teacher ratio
- 11.5:1
What the reported data says about Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Waterloo. It is one of 18 current school records connected to Waterloo Comm School District. NCES reports 448 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 78th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 11.9:1, below the Iowa median of 13.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (29.2%) and White (28.1%). English learners represent 20.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Highland Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 11.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 37.5 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 20.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.4%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 89.5%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White28.1%
- Hispanic29.2%
- Black25.7%
- Asian0.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander3.1%
- Multiracial13.2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Waterloo Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Cunningham School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
443 reported students
Lou Henry Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
460 reported students
Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
463 reported students
Fred Becker Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
501 reported students
Orange Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
518 reported students
Poyner Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
362 reported students
