Cedar Falls High School

Q: Is Cedar Falls High School a good school?

Cedar Falls High School ranks 64 th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Cedar Falls High School is a public high school serving grades 10-12 in the Cedar Falls Community School District, with 1,302 students, making it the largest high school in the analysis. The school has consistently ranked among the top high schools in Iowa, with a current statewide ranking of 64 out of 338 schools and a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Cedar Falls High School students consistently outperform the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores across all subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, 81.5% of 10th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 73.8%. In Mathematics, 79.6% of 10th graders were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 66%. The school has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 23.89% for the 2022-2023 school year, which is lower than the state average. Additionally, Cedar Falls High School has a student-teacher ratio of 13.7, which is slightly lower than the state average and indicates a relatively small class size.

When compared to nearby schools, Dunkerton High School and Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School, Cedar Falls High School stands out as the highest-performing in terms of academic achievement. However, some nearby schools, such as Expo Alternative Learning Center and West High School in the Waterloo Community School District, have much more diverse student populations, with higher percentages of African American and Hispanic students.

Detail:

Public 10-12

1015 Division St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

(319) 553-2500

District: Cedar Falls Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
64^th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,835

Feeder schools for Cedar Falls High School:

Elementary:	Cedar Heights Elementary School
	Helen A Hansen Elementary School
	Lincoln Elementary School
	North Cedar Elementary School
	More...
	Orchard Hill Elementary School
	Southdale Elementary School
Middle:	Holmes Junior High School
	Peet Junior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.2

Number of students: 1,336

Racial breakdown:

White:

83.8%

Two or more races:

5.7%

African American:

3.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 23.6%

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Compare Cedar Falls High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Cedar Falls High School ranks better than 81.1% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 74.77. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Cedar Falls High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (83.8%), two or more races (5.7%), African American (3.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 23.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cedar Falls High School is 14.2. (See more...)

Compare Cedar Falls High School employs 94 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cedar Falls High School is $13,835.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Cedar Falls High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Cedar Falls High School 64^th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Cedar Falls High School in the ranking list.)

Cedar Falls Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Cedar Falls Community School District 53^rd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Cedar Falls High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	71.61	85^th	351	75.8%
2013	70.63	83^rd	351	76.4%
2014	76.96	61^st	322	81.1%
2015	82.17	23^rd	324	92.9%
2016	77.39	65^th	320	79.7%
2017	84.56	16^th	325	95.1%
2018	70.41	95^th	320	70.3%
2019	73.63	66^th	327	79.8%
2021	70.88	74^th	327	77.4%
2022	79.42	46^th	332	86.1%
2023	76.80	48^th	336	85.7%
2024	74.77	64^th	338	81.1%

See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Cedar Falls High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	1132	10	23	4	3	n/a	n/a	1172
1989	1022	5	19	2	2	n/a	n/a	1050
1990	953	6	20	9	0	n/a	n/a	988
1991	988	8	32	9	0	n/a	n/a	1037
1992	1009	9	29	15	2	n/a	n/a	1064
1993	1082	10	36	13	2	n/a	n/a	1143
1994	1085	13	25	11	5	n/a	n/a	1139
1995	1142	19	37	12	6	n/a	n/a	1216
1996	1142	19	37	12	6	n/a	n/a	1216
1997	1173	18	40	10	8	n/a	n/a	1249
1998	1176	20	36	8	6	n/a	n/a	1246
1999	1191	17	38	9	5	n/a	n/a	1260
2000	1144	16	43	8	6	n/a	n/a	1217
2001	1148	13	41	5	3	n/a	n/a	1210
2002	1099	21	29	12	3	n/a	n/a	1164
2003	1099	21	29	12	3	n/a	n/a	1164
2004	1099	27	31	11	3	n/a	n/a	1171
2005	987	27	37	12	3	n/a	n/a	1066
2006	993	33	38	10	4	n/a	n/a	1078
2007	960	34	34	14	3	n/a	n/a	1045
2008	963	41	25	14	9	n/a	n/a	1052
2009	934	42	25	20	6	n/a	n/a	1027
2010	977	40	20	27	2	0	22	1088
2011	952	43	33	32	3	0	27	1090
2012	946	42	28	28	4	0	38	1086
2013	935	41	38	41	1	0	39	1095
2014	972	46	38	40	1	0	41	1138
2015	953	47	47	42	1	1	40	1131
2016	967	52	57	37	2	3	38	1156
2017	938	53	49	37	2	2	42	1123
2018	933	46	42	38	2	2	54	1117
2019	950	40	50	40	2	4	62	1148
2020	982	42	55	41	2	3	57	1182
2021	1018	53	51	47	3	5	52	1229
2022	1093	54	46	39	4	3	53	1292
2023	1104	56	43	40	1	3	55	1302
2024	1120	50	40	42	2	6	76	1336

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Cedar Falls High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1172	73.5	15.9	7.2
1989	1050	69.4	15.1	5.4
1990	988	66.1	14.9	6.4
1991	1037	67.3	15.4	6.5
1992	1064	68.0	15.6	6.6
1993	1143	66.9	17.1	6.3
1994	1139	73.2	15.6	6
1995	1216	79.4	15.3	6.7
1996	1216	79.4	15.3	6.7
1997	1249	80.7	15.5	7.8
1998	1246	81.1	15.4	8
1999	1260	80.6	15.6	10.6
2000	1217	87.5	13.9	10.4
2001	1210	82.7	14.6	12.1
2002	1164	82.8	14.1	11.4
2003	1164	82.8	14.1	11.4
2004	1171	93.3	12.6	10.7
2005	1066	80.1	13.3	12.6
2006	1078	81.1	13.3	11.9
2007	1045	73.9	14.1	13.9
2008	1052	72.5	14.5	12.7
2009	1027	73.8	13.9	13.4
2010	1088	74.5	14.6	16.2
2011	1090	74.6	14.6	15
2012	1086	74.6	14.5	17
2013	1095	76.5	14.3	15.8
2014	1138	78.0	14.5	17
2015	1131	81.0	13.9	17
2016	1156	82.0	14.0	20.5
2017	1123	80.5	13.9	19.4
2018	1117	87.8	12.7	15.1
2019	1148	85.1	13.4	18.3
2020	1182	84.8	13.9	18.4
2021	1229	91.2	13.4	21.5
2022	1292	93.5	13.8	21.4
2023	1302	94.7	13.7	23.9
2024	1336	94.0	14.2	23.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Cedar Falls High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1172	73.5	15.9	7.2
1989	1050	69.4	15.1	5.4
1990	988	66.1	14.9	6.4
1991	1037	67.3	15.4	6.5
1992	1064	68.0	15.6	6.6
1993	1143	66.9	17.1	6.3
1994	1139	73.2	15.6	6
1995	1216	79.4	15.3	6.7
1996	1216	79.4	15.3	6.7
1997	1249	80.7	15.5	7.8
1998	1246	81.1	15.4	8
1999	1260	80.6	15.6	10.6
2000	1217	87.5	13.9	10.4
2001	1210	82.7	14.6	12.1
2002	1164	82.8	14.1	11.4
2003	1164	82.8	14.1	11.4
2004	1171	93.3	12.6	10.7
2005	1066	80.1	13.3	12.6
2006	1078	81.1	13.3	11.9
2007	1045	73.9	14.1	13.9
2008	1052	72.5	14.5	12.7
2009	1027	73.8	13.9	13.4
2010	1088	74.5	14.6	16.2
2011	1090	74.6	14.6	15
2012	1086	74.6	14.5	17
2013	1095	76.5	14.3	15.8
2014	1138	78.0	14.5	17
2015	1131	81.0	13.9	17
2016	1156	82.0	14.0	20.5
2017	1123	80.5	13.9	19.4
2018	1117	87.8	12.7	15.1
2019	1148	85.1	13.4	18.3
2020	1182	84.8	13.9	18.4
2021	1229	91.2	13.4	21.5
2022	1292	93.5	13.8	21.4
2023	1302	94.7	13.7	23.9
2024	1336	94.0	14.2	23.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Cedar Falls High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$301 (2.2%)	$13,534 (97.8%)	$13,835

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cedar Falls High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 66^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 48^th of 336 High schools	5.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Falls High School)	81.5	81.3	0.2%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Falls Community School District)	81.5	81.3	0.2%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	74.3	72.9	1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Falls High School)	75.7	80.5	4.8%
10th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Falls Community School District)	75.7	80.5	4.8%
10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	67.1	67	0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Falls High School)	81.7	78.5	3.2%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Cedar Falls Community School District)	81.7	78.7	3%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Falls High School)	75.8	76.2	0.4%
11th Grade Mathematics (Cedar Falls Community School District)	75.8	75.9	0.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	66.9	67.3	0.4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1148	1302	13.4%
African American	40	56	40%
American Indian	2	1	50%
Asian	50	43	14%
Hispanic	40	40
Pacific Islander	4	3	25%
White	950	1104	16.2%
Two or More Races	62	55	11.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	18.3%	23.9%	5.6%

Schools Near Cedar Falls High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)						ISASP Mathematics (2024)						ISASP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 9th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 10th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 11th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 9th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 10th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 11th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	ISASP Science 10th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cedar Falls High School	Public	10-12	1015 Division St	Cedar Falls	50613	Black Hawk County	Cedar Falls Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 553-2500	1,336	94	14.2	23.6%	1,120 (83.8%)	50 (3.7%)	42 (3.1%)	40 (3.0%)	2 (0.1%)	6 (0.4%)	76 (5.7%)	74.8	64^th of 338 public high schools	81.1%		76.8	48^th of 336 public high schools	85.7%	16					81.5	77.8					79.6	79.2		78.4	$13,835	$301	$13,534
West High School	Public	9-12	425 E Ridgeway Ave	Waterloo	50702	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2700	1,713	99	17.2	62.5%	806 (47.1%)	361 (21.1%)	260 (15.2%)	85 (5.0%)	5 (0.3%)	77 (4.5%)	119 (6.9%)	29.5	271^st of 338 public high schools	19.8%		31.6	263^rd of 336 public high schools	21.7%	8				68.5	68.7	65.9				51.3	64.5	54.6		52.5	$13,055	$432	$12,622
East High School	Public	9-12	214 High St	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2400	1,013	52	19.3	73.6%	383 (37.8%)	324 (32.0%)	166 (16.4%)	6 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	36 (3.6%)	96 (9.5%)	7.6	316^th of 338 public high schools	6.5%		7.2	318^th of 336 public high schools	5.4%	2				50.2	55.9	49.2				43.0	50.0	45.1		34.0	$15,126	$451	$14,674
Expo Alternative Learning Center	Public	6-12	1410 Independence Ave	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-1930	578	32	18.0	81.5%	226 (39.1%)	207 (35.8%)	54 (9.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	11 (1.9%)	76 (13.1%)	0.1	335^th of 338 public high schools	0.9%		0.4	332^nd of 336 public high schools	1.2%	3			23.1	30.8	28.0	35.4			30.8	13.0	15.7	12.2	25.0	18.2	$14,570	$546	$14,023
Janesville Junior-Senior High School	Public	6-12	505 Barrick Rd	Janesville	50647	Bremer County	Janesville Consolidated School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 987-2581	226	14	16.3	17.3%	214 (94.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.7%)	77	47^th of 338 public high schools	86.1%		69.8	85^th of 336 public high schools	74.7%	38	80.6	83.3	93.3	86.5	78.3	92.9	77.4	73.8	86.7	75.7	78.3	85.7	93.3	60.9	$12,726	$87	$12,639
Hudson High School	Public	7-12	245 S Washington	Hudson	50643	Black Hawk County	Hudson Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 988-4226	368	28	13.1	22.8%	318 (86.4%)	4 (1.1%)	24 (6.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.4%)	83.3	19^th of 338 public high schools	94.4%		84.3	24^th of 336 public high schools	92.9%	5		82.7	78.7	86.7	83.6	90.2		70.7	85.1	78.3	80.3	91.8	59.6	80.3	$13,977	$58	$13,919
Dike-New Hartford High School	Public	9-12	330 Main St	Dike	50624	Grundy County	Dike-New Hartford Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 989-2485	281	21	13.2	19.9%	266 (94.7%)	3 (1.1%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.2%)	83.3	20^th of 338 public high schools	94.1%		81.2	33^rd of 336 public high schools	90.2%	13				85.5	88.6	83.8				84.1	82.9	82.4		81.4	$14,985	$284	$14,701
Denver Senior High School	Public	9-12	800 Longview Drive	Denver	50622	Bremer County	Denver Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 984-5639	273	18	14.8	11.0%	261 (95.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.6%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.5%)	95	2^nd of 338 public high schools	99.4%		94.8	2^nd of 336 public high schools	99.4%					97.1	97.1	98.5				89.7	89.9	94.1		94.2	$14,874	$81	$14,794
Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School	Public	9-12	1405 4th Ave SW	Waverly	50677	Bremer County	Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 352-2087	746	48	15.5	19.7%	675 (90.5%)	7 (0.9%)	32 (4.3%)	6 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (3.5%)	82	23^rd of 338 public high schools	93.2%		84.2	25^th of 336 public high schools	92.6%	2				86.7	84.8	82.2				87.8	87.0	85.4		72.7	$15,024	$360	$14,663
Greenview Alternative School	Public	9-12	106 16th St SW	Waverly	50677	Bremer County	Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 352-9273	37	1	37.0	45.9%	28 (75.7%)	1 (2.7%)	2 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (10.8%)	3	323^rd of 338 public high schools	4.4%					(n/a)						50.0						0.0			$498	$63	$435

Frequently Asked Questions about Cedar Falls High School

What schools feed into Cedar Falls High School?

Cedar Falls High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Cedar Heights Elementary School
Elementary : Helen A Hansen Elementary School
Elementary : Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary : North Cedar Elementary School
Elementary : Orchard Hill Elementary School
Elementary : Southdale Elementary School
Middle : Holmes Junior High School
Middle : Peet Junior High School

Is Cedar Falls High School a good school?

Cedar Falls High School ranks 64^th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Cedar Falls High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,336 students attended Cedar Falls High School.

What district is Cedar Falls High School in?

Cedar Falls Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Cedar Falls High School?

Students at Cedar Falls High School are 84% White, 6% Two or more races, 4% African American, 3% Hispanic, 3% Asian.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.