- Waterloo High School — 0.9 mi · Grades 9–12 · 876 students
- Gardner Elementary School — 1.9 mi · Grades 4–5 · 374 students
- Rogers Elem School — 2.0 mi · Grades 2–3 · 417 students
- Waterloo Junior High School — 2.0 mi · Grades 6–8 · 613 students
- W J Zahnow Elem School — 2.3 mi · Grades PK–1 · 487 students
| Metric | Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 2,768 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,843/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 21% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 (this district) | 10/10 | 91st | 2,768 |
| Valmeyer Community Unit School District 3 | 2/10 | 14th | 355 |
| Columbia Community Unit School District 4 | 10/10 | 92nd | 1,990 |
| Freeburg Community High School District 77 | 10/10 | 93rd | 683 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 763 rated districts in IL → 91st percentile → 10/10.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education IAR, grades 3–8 ELA & Math Proficiency Rate, 2023–24 school year. Full methodology →
About Waterloo Community Unit School District 5
Families in zip code 62298 (Waterloo, Illinois) are assigned to Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 10/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Illinois’ IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2023–24 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Illinois is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Illinois on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 62298 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 62298
Children in zip code 62298 are assigned to Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 62298, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Illinois districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Waterloo
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 serves zip code 62298, homes in and around zip code 62298 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Illinois, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 62298.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Waterloo Community Unit School District 5 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 62298 data.