The top reported proficiency rate is 88% in Science. The lowest is 74% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Palisades Elementary School
Palisades Elementary School is a newer public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in the Gretna Public Schools district, which covers a rapidly growing section of Sarpy County near Omaha. The school opened in 2023 after voters approved a bond for its construction, and it was built to add capacity in a district whose enrollment is climbing fast enough that separate bond measures have also funded a second high school and an additional elementary school set to open soon. For families moving into this part of southwest Omaha, Palisades represents a freshly built campus that sits within a district that has been actively expanding its infrastructure.
State test results are available for the most recent school year only, which is expected for a school this new, and they show strong academic performance across the board. In math, reading, and science, a large majority of students met or exceeded state standards at every tested grade level. Science proficiency among fifth graders was particularly high. Taken together, the school’s overall proficiency rate across subjects and grades placed it in the top tier when compared with other districts in Sarpy County—a notably strong showing for an elementary that had just completed its second academic year.
The student body is relatively small for its grade band and is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Asian, and Black students. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, consistent with an affluent surrounding community. The school does not report data on the proportion of students with disabilities or those learning English, so a parent wanting to understand the full range of services and student supports would need to follow up directly with the school. Similarly, information on discipline, chronic absenteeism, and class sizes is not available in the data reviewed.
The school sits in an area of Omaha where home values are notably above the statewide median, and rents are similarly elevated. The local economy is anchored by major corporate headquarters and a diverse professional base, and the broader Omaha metropolitan area has seen steady, if moderate, population growth. Within Sarpy County, the housing market reflects the kind of suburban development that has drawn families to the Gretna district. A parent considering this school should expect a community where housing costs are high and where the school itself is part of a district that has been investing heavily in new buildings to keep pace with enrollment demand.
The district brief confirms that Palisades Elementary is a direct product of that growth: the 2021 bond that funded its construction was a response to crowding in existing elementary schools. Since then, the district has passed additional bonds for a second high school and for another elementary school along with district-wide security upgrades. Voter support for these measures has been strong, indicating a community that has consistently prioritized school investment.
Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and no data on course access or staffing ratios were available. What is clear from the evidence is that Palisades Elementary opened into an environment of high academic expectations, strong community backing, and an affluent residential base. The test results from its first years suggest it is delivering on the instructional side. A parent looking at this school will want to ask about how the district supports students with special needs or English language development, since those figures are absent from public data, and may also want to learn more about the school’s specific programs, which are not described in the materials reviewed. For families who can afford the area and who prioritize strong elementary academics in a newer facility within a growing district, this school is a compelling match.
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