Whittier School

Iowa, United States

Exterior only

Visible from the street; the inside is private.

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Whittier School is a Renaissance Revival building located in Waterloo, Iowa, designed by local architect John G. Ralston and completed in 1906 as part of the city's rapid westside expansion. Built in four phases between 1906 and 1915, the structure exemplifies the "Platoon School" design philosophy, with its distinctive H-shaped footprint incorporating abundant windows to enhance ventilation and natural lighting for student health and education. The building's aesthetic reflects both its architectural style and the American Foursquare character of the surrounding neighborhoods developed during Waterloo's streetcar-driven housing boom from 1900 to 1920. Closed in 1981 and later repurposed as apartments for low to moderate income residents, the school was recognized for its historic significance with a National Register of Historic Places listing in 2004.