Black Hawk County Schools & Education
Black Hawk County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
57/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,868
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
57/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#67
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Black Hawk County
School Verdict
Black Hawk County performs at an average level with a school score of 57/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.3%.
Funding Context
At $7,868 per pupil, Black Hawk County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Black Hawk County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 6% below the Iowa average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Black Hawk County, Iowa
Iowa's Urban Education Hub
Black Hawk County features a massive educational infrastructure with 35 public schools across four districts. This system serves 18,280 students, including 21 elementary schools, six middle schools, and seven high schools.
Consistent Success in a Large System
Despite its large size, the county maintains a 90.3% graduation rate, well above the national average. Per-pupil spending of $7,868 exceeds the state average, funding a diverse array of programs and resulting in a competitive school score of 55.6.
Waterloo and Cedar Falls Powerhouse
The Waterloo Community School District is the largest, managing 18 schools and 10,527 students. While the county hosts one alternative school, there are no charter schools, keeping the focus on its robust traditional district offerings.
A Truly Diverse Locale Mix
Uniquely for the region, 25 schools are in city locales, with others in suburbs and rural areas. Schools are much larger here, averaging 522 students, with Waterloo's West High School serving over 1,600 students.
Find Your Place in a Top District
From urban high schools to suburban elementary campuses, Black Hawk County offers more variety than anywhere else in the region. Look for homes in Waterloo or Cedar Falls to take advantage of these high-capacity, successful schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
35
in Black Hawk County
Total Enrollment
18,280
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Black Hawk County
Waterloo Comm School District
Cedar Falls Comm School District
Hudson Comm School District
Dunkerton Comm School District
35 Public Schools in Black Hawk County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West High School | Waterloo Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,652 |
| Cedar Falls High School | Cedar Falls Comm School District | 10–12 | High | 1,302 |
| East High School | Waterloo Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,022 |
| Hoover Middle School | Waterloo Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 883 |
| Peet Junior High School | Cedar Falls Comm School District | 7–9 | Middle | 670 |
| Holmes Junior High School | Cedar Falls Comm School District | 7–9 | Middle | 639 |
| Kittrell Elementary School | Waterloo Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 614 |
| Expo Alternative Learning Center | Waterloo Comm School District | 6–12 | Alternative | 609 |
| Helen A Hansen Elementary School | Cedar Falls Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 591 |
| Southdale Elementary School | Cedar Falls Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 530 |
| Hudson Elementary School | Hudson Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 524 |
| Orange Elementary School | Waterloo Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 521 |
| Lowell Elementary School | Waterloo Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 513 |
| Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary | Cedar Falls Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 485 |
| Highland Elementary School | Waterloo Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 477 |
| Cedar Heights Elementary School | Cedar Falls Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 474 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School | Waterloo Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 473 |
| Lincoln Elementary School | Waterloo Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 471 |
| Central Middle School | Waterloo Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 471 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School | Waterloo Comm School District | KG–5 | Primary | 465 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,868
State avg $7,591
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Black Hawk County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Black Hawk County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Black Hawk County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Black Hawk County?
How much does Black Hawk County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Black Hawk County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Black Hawk County, Iowa?
Black Hawk County features a massive educational infrastructure with 35 public schools across four districts. This system serves 18,280 students, including 21 elementary schools, six middle schools, and seven high schools.
How do schools in Black Hawk County perform academically?
Despite its large size, the county maintains a 90.3% graduation rate, well above the national average. Per-pupil spending of $7,868 exceeds the state average, funding a diverse array of programs and resulting in a competitive school score of 55.6.
What are the major school districts in Black Hawk County, Iowa?
The Waterloo Community School District is the largest, managing 18 schools and 10,527 students. While the county hosts one alternative school, there are no charter schools, keeping the focus on its robust traditional district offerings.
What is the school experience like in Black Hawk County?
Uniquely for the region, 25 schools are in city locales, with others in suburbs and rural areas. Schools are much larger here, averaging 522 students, with Waterloo's West High School serving over 1,600 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Black Hawk County, Iowa?
From urban high schools to suburban elementary campuses, Black Hawk County offers more variety than anywhere else in the region. Look for homes in Waterloo or Cedar Falls to take advantage of these high-capacity, successful schools.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.