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For detailed information about the 2024-2025 school year, including registration, school supply lists, rolling start dates, lunch options, transportation details, and more, please [CLICK HERE].
With over 10,000 students across 19 campuses, Waterloo Schools remains one of the largest districts in the state of Iowa. We pride ourselves with having a strong focus on creating individual pathways to success for all students through student enrichment programs such as Life Labs, the Waterloo Career Center, Success Street, and more. Our goal is to provide students with the support they need to work toward their dreams. Whether they’re looking to continue their education or find a fulfilling career after graduation, our goal with every student is to provide them with a diploma and a plan.
The Waterloo Career Center (WCC) provides Career Technical Education (CTE) for not only Waterloo Schools high school students, but students in surrounding districts. One of the only facilities like it in the state of Iowa, the WCC offers over 18 career paths and counting. Students who participate in the career center experience real world training with industry experts, giving students hands-on opportunities to learn in labs that are built with professional-grade equipment to simulate real workplace environments. The center exposes students to a variety of career paths offering internships, apprenticeships, free college credit, and more.
Whether you would like to take one course or spend your entire day at the Waterloo Career Center, we invite you to learn more about the wide variety of career offerings. Can you see yourself here? We can! With us, the future is now! Explore your future with the Waterloo Career Center.
Explore our “Teacher Feature” stories! CLICK HERE to dive into inspiring stories from dedicated educators across our district. Learn more about the teachers who go above and beyond to make a difference every day.
Check back often, as we’ll be adding more amazing teachers throughout the year!
STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR LATEST UPDATES, EVENTS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO THE EXCITING JOURNEY OF EDUCATION.
Meet Sydnie, a senior at West High with big dreams and an even bigger heart! From cheering on the Wahawks at football games to helping at school dances, Sydnie says, “West is just such a welcoming atmosphere.” Her love for her school community shines, whether she's celebrating Homecoming Court or sharing laughs with her “second family” on the softball team.
Sydnie’s high school journey has been filled with involvement, and her advice to new students is to “get involved, even start a club if there isn’t something for you!” As the leader of West’s Bible Club, she’s built meaningful connections across grade levels and values the friendships she’s made with students she might not meet otherwise.
With her eyes set on a career in medicine, Sydnie is taking full advantage of college credit classes through the Waterloo Career Center (WCC). She’s also studying to become an EMT, which will allow her to gain hands-on experience during college.
Inspired by her dad, who was a firefighter and paramedic, Sydnie can’t wait to pursue a career in healthcare. Her perseverance and passion for helping others show she’s ready for whatever the future holds.
Here’s to an incredible senior year for Sydnie and an exciting journey ahead!
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Honoring all those who have served or are currently serving our country – thank you for your bravery, dedication, and sacrifice. We are deeply grateful. Happy Veterans Day!
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🌟 Teacher Feature: Ashley Richard, 3rd Grade Teacher at Kingsley Elementary 🌟
Ashley Richard’s journey to Kingsley Elementary came from a love for community, growth, and learning. Originally from out of state, Ashley discovered Waterloo Schools through extensive research and felt it was the perfect fit for both herself and her young son. “I fell in love with the opportunities Waterloo Schools offered. I could see myself and my son being part of Kingsley,” she shared.
From a young age, Ashley knew teaching was her calling, turning her basement into a classroom and “teaching” her brother. Today, she brings that same passion and dedication to her students every day. One of Ashley’s most beloved strategies is to bring her life into the classroom, like sharing stories about her son’s pet hamster. These personal moments foster connection and make learning engaging. “Students want to know the real us as people, not just as teachers,” she said.
Ashley’s classroom is a space where students feel safe, inspired, and motivated. From competitive games to interactive lessons on exciting topics like tornados, she sparks her students' curiosity and joy for learning. Ashley believes in using dynamic games and competitive activities to strengthen skills. For instance, her students can’t get enough of her “Around the World” game, where they compete with flashcards to reach math fluency in just three seconds. “It’s a game that taps into their competitiveness, and they love it! I start with two students, and they work their way around the room, aiming to ‘go around the world,’” she explains. It’s just one of the creative ways she makes learning math an exciting adventure.
When asked why new teachers should join Waterloo Schools, Ashley was clear: “There is so much support within our buildings. I feel extremely valued by my admin, parents, and students!”
We’re lucky to have teachers like Ashley who embody the #TeacherLife and embrace a #GrowthMindsetTeacher approach every day. Thank you, Ashley, for all you do for Kingsley Elementary and Waterloo Schools! 🌱📚 #WaterlooProud ... See MoreSee Less
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Way to go Ashley Richard! You are an amazing teacher and I'm so happy I get to work alongside you!
Thank you Ms. RICHARD for bringing the love of school back to my daughter ❤️ your an amazing teacher !
Any kid is lucky to have Ms. Richard! Amazing teacher with a huge heart.
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🌟 Are you curious about the amazing opportunities at the Waterloo Career Center? 🌟
Join us for one of our two upcoming Open Houses! 🚪 Come explore our state-of-the-art facility, enjoy a meal, and take a tour of our 20+ hands-on programs. Discover how WCC is preparing students for real-world success!
#OneWaterloo #WaterlooProud #InfinitePossibilities ... See MoreSee Less
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Sarah Jordan, a passionate Title I Literacy teacher Becker Elementary, entered the world of education with a clear purpose: to make a difference. She shared, “I wanted to be the person I needed when I was a kid. I didn’t want other students feeling insecure or struggling like I did.” Her goal has always been to make literacy accessible to everyone, ensuring her students have endless opportunities for success beyond the classroom.
Sarah’s innovative approach to teaching literacy is what sets her apart. She loves using creative tools like glow sticks, flashlights, slime, and even race cars to make learning fun and engaging. Her efforts have inspired students to find joy in reading, even those who were once reluctant. Sarah proudly shared, “The best compliments are when students ask for copies of what we do in class or say they wish they could come back!”
In addition to her innovative classroom techniques, Sarah is proud of the YouTube channel she created to support literacy learning at home. With 1.5K subscribers in just nine months, Sarah’s videos have made phonics skills more accessible for families. What started as a way to help one parent quickly became a resource for many. “If it ripples beyond my Becker families, that’s exciting too,” she says, as feedback continues to pour in from parents and even viewers around the world.
#Unorthodox perfectly describes Sarah’s teaching style. Whether it’s through her popular YouTube channel or the unique ways she brings literacy to life, Sarah is dedicated to helping her students experience the infinite possibilities that reading and learning can offer.
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😊 Smiles Fill the Hallways at Becker Elementary!😊
Our Becker Bears are bringing joy to every corner with their bright, smiling faces! Nothing lights up the day quite like the happy energy of our students. Here’s to more laughter, learning, and smiles filling the hallways each day!
#BeckerBears #WaterlooProud #SmilesAllAround ... See MoreSee Less
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Carolyn Benford
Adri Etc
Look at nana
Get ready for another exciting LifeLab experience!
🎓 This time, our 8th graders will tour UNI, where they’ll get an amazing taste of the “college experience.”
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Our new Waterloo FFA chapter had a great time at the National FFA Convention! We are so proud to have Waterloo with an FFA Chapter! They made Waterloo School's history being the very first chapter attending National Convention!
#WaterlooProud #infinitepossibilities
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Introducing Alexzander, a 3rd Grader at Becker Elementary
Alexzander is all about learning something new every day, and this year, his biggest adventure has been in reading. "I didn’t try much last year because I didn’t like to read, but now I do!" he says with pride. Discovering stories full of adventures has sparked his excitement, and now he’s more determined than ever to keep getting better. His favorite part? Finding out how the story ends, especially after working hard on every page.
With Becker’s support, Alexzander reads not only at school but at home, too, knowing that strong reading skills will help him succeed in high school and beyond. If he wrote a story, he’d call it Alexzander’s Reading Adventure and would fill it with all the excitement of his reading journey.
“I’m really looking forward to reading harder books and writing better,” he says with a smile. Alexzander is already proud of how far he’s come and can’t wait to keep growing as a reader.
#InfinitePossibilities #WaterlooProud #ReadingSuperstar ... See MoreSee Less
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