The top reported proficiency rate is 84% in Math. The lowest is 69% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on North Bend Elementary
North Bend Elementary serves students from preschool through third grade in North Liberty, a fast-growing suburb of Iowa City that has been one of the state's fastest-growing communities in recent years. The school is part of the Clear Creek Amana Community School District, which serves the western portion of the city while the Iowa City district serves most of the rest.
The elementary school sits in a residential suburban setting within a city that describes itself as a family-friendly small town with easy access to big-city amenities. North Liberty's built environment is auto-oriented, with subdivisions, strip commercial areas, and separated civic buildings rather than a dense walkable core. The city offers miles of trails and recreational amenities, and is bisected by an interstate highway. A majority of residents in the area belong to young families, and the community has seen substantial residential and commercial growth driven by its location between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
North Bend's enrollment includes students from preschool through third grade. The student body is majority white, with a substantial share of Black students, along with smaller shares of students who are Hispanic, Asian, and of two or more races. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Data on the share of students receiving special education services or English learner supports was not available.
State testing results from the most recent school year show that a strong majority of third graders met proficiency standards in both math and English language arts. Math proficiency was higher than ELA proficiency, and overall the school's proficiency index placed it below the midpoint among districts in Johnson County. This comparison set includes four other districts, so the positioning is relative to a small group of nearby peers. Science testing data was from an earlier year and may not be comparable to current assessments. Because the school only serves through third grade, there is no state testing for older elementary grades, nor a graduation rate.
North Bend is a regular public school. It is not a charter or magnet school. Information on Title I status was not available. The school's discipline rates, attendance patterns, and staffing data were also not provided.
In recent years, the Clear Creek Amana district has pursued several changes that may be relevant to families considering North Bend. In late 2024, voters approved a bond to build a new intermediate school for fourth and fifth graders, which is expected to open for the 2026-2027 school year and should relieve overcrowding at another district elementary school. The bond also funds high school classroom additions and safety upgrades across the district, and district officials stated the tax levy rate would not increase due to the growing tax base. The district began implementing standards-based grading at the secondary level starting in the 2023-2024 school year, a shift in how student learning is assessed and reported that separates academic achievement from behaviors like participation.
Families should note that North Bend only serves through third grade, so children will move to a different school for fourth grade. The district's plans to build a new intermediate school may affect where students attend after leaving North Bend. Parents may also want to check which elementary attendance zone they fall in, as the boundary between the Clear Creek Amana and Iowa City districts runs through North Liberty. The city's rapid growth means that new housing developments and school facilities are likely to continue shaping the area in the coming years.
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