The top reported proficiency rate is 84% in Math. The lowest is 57% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lewis & Clark Elementary School
Lewis & Clark Elementary is a regular public school in Council Bluffs, Iowa, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Council Bluffs Community School District, which covers a mid-sized city that sits across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, and blends residential neighborhoods with an industrial and commercial base. For a family looking at this school, the picture is a mixed one: academic strengths in some subjects, a solid but unremarkable overall standing relative to other schools in the county, and a student body that is mostly white with a substantial share of families using the free or reduced-price meal program.
On state assessments given in the 2024-25 school year, Lewis & Clark’s math scores stand out. A large majority of students met proficiency standards, making math a clear strength of the school. English language arts scores are also solid, with a strong majority of students performing at or above the proficient level. Science scores are lower, with just over half of students reaching proficiency. Across all three tested subjects, the school’s combined performance places it below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Pottawattamie County, though the range among those districts is fairly broad. Only one year of data is available for this assessment, so there is no trend to indicate whether the school is improving or declining. State testing data for earlier years was not included in the information we reviewed.
The student body is modest in size for an elementary school. Most students are white, with a small Hispanic population and an even smaller Black population. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals is substantial, indicating that many families in the attendance zone have lower household incomes. No data was available on the number of students with individualized education plans or English learner status, so a parent who needs those supports should check with the school directly. Similarly, information on chronic absenteeism and discipline incidents was not reported, which are common gaps for an elementary school and not necessarily a concern, but worth asking about.
The housing context in the area around the school reflects a market that is more expensive than the Iowa state average but still below the national median. Rents are moderate relative to incomes, and the typical mortgage payment is higher than a typical rent, which is common in this part of the country. The neighborhood is part of Council Bluffs, a city with a diversified economy anchored by food processing, casino gaming, manufacturing, and railroad operations. The city’s population has been stable or slightly declining in recent years, with no major growth pressures. The school building is located on the western side of Council Bluffs, in a residential area near Grand Avenue.
For a parent considering Lewis & Clark, the academic picture is that math instruction is effective, reading and writing are solid, and science is an area where the school may want to focus. The overall proficiency index is average compared to other Pottawattamie County schools, so a family should not expect exceptionally high test scores across the board, but also not low ones. The peer environment is fairly homogeneous racially, with limited economic diversity. The Council Bluffs Community School District did not have any recent major changes or initiatives publicly reported, so the school appears stable in its operations. Families who value a traditional elementary experience with a clear strength in math and a generally adequate foundation in literacy and science may find Lewis & Clark a reasonable fit. Those with specific concerns about special education services or English language support should follow up directly, as that data was not available in the records we reviewed.
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