D
Needs Improvement
39/100

Lowell Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 1628 Washington St, Waterloo, IA 50702
Overall
D
39/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
2.1 grade levels below the U.S. average · 8th percentile in Iowa
Resources
A
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Iowa schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

39
Repit Score
out of 100
480
Students
enrolled
12.2:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$17K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)75%8/1002.1 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%87/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 78% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Iowa schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −3 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Iowa. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency52% (−17 pts vs. state avg 69%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency47% (−22 pts vs. state avg 69%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Iowa state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White65%55%reading -9 pts, math -22 pts17th percentile (list)
Black30%30%reading -3 pts, math -6 pts37th percentile (list)
Hispanic55%45%reading +7 pts, math -9 pts53rd percentile (list)
Multiracial70%50%reading +6 pts, math -10 pts59th percentile (list)
Low-income47%42%reading -6 pts, math -15 pts16th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 1628 Washington St
City Waterloo
ZIP Code 50702
District 1930480
NCES School ID 193048001731
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 50702

Understanding the community around Lowell Elementary School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $58,418
Per Capita Income $30,342
Poverty Rate 9.2%
Households Earning $100K+ 21.8%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 21.8%
High School or Higher 88.9%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $139,000
Median Rent $871
Owner-Occupied 61.5%
Renter-Occupied 38.5%
View full data for ZIP 50702 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 50702 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 50702 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Lowell Elementary School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.8%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 31.7%
Black 31.0%
Hispanic/Latino 20.0%
Two or More Races 9.0%
Asian 3.8%
Pacific Islander 4.4%
American Indian 0.2%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 480
Teachers (FTE) 39.2
Student:Teacher Ratio 12.2:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Lowell Elementary School?
Lowell Elementary School has a Repit School Score of 39 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Lowell Elementary School?
Lowell Elementary School has 480 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1.
What grades does Lowell Elementary School serve?
Lowell Elementary School serves grades Pre-K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Lowell Elementary School receive per student?
Lowell Elementary School receives $16,839 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Lowell Elementary School in 50702 ▼
Avg Home Value
$151,571
Avg Monthly Rent
$888
1-Year Change
+1.7%
% Renters
38.5%

Other Schools in 50702

View all schools and real estate data for 50702 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026