The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in Science. The lowest is 35% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Falling Waters Elementary School
Falling Waters Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the Gretna Public Schools district, located in the southwestern Omaha area. The school sits in a largely residential suburban stretch of Douglas County, not far from the growing edge of the metro. It is one of several elementary schools in a district that has been expanding rapidly and has recently opened new facilities to keep pace with enrollment.
Academically, the picture varies by subject and grade level. On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, the school showed a notable strength in science, where a strong majority of fifth graders met the proficiency standard. In English language arts, third and fourth graders turned in solid results, with a substantial share reaching proficiency; fifth graders, however, saw a softer showing. Math results followed a similar pattern: fourth graders were roughly in the middle, fifth graders performed better, and the third-grade math cohort recorded a low proficiency rate that a parent may want to ask about directly. Looking across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quartile when placed against other districts in Douglas County. This comparison is based on data from seven districts in the county and should be read in the context of the district's recent growth and changing enrollment.
The student body is predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and small numbers of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. A relatively low share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a predominantly middle- to upper-income demographic. The school’s enrollment has been large enough for its grade band, spread fairly evenly across grades. No data on special education or English learner populations was available in the source materials, so a family with specific support needs would want to inquire directly with the school.
The community context matters here. The school sits within the Gretna Public Schools district, which has received voter approval for multiple bond measures in recent years. A bond passed in 2021 funded a new elementary school that opened in 2023, and a 2022 bond financed the construction of a second high school, which opened in 2023 and is expanding by one grade per year. In 2024, voters approved another bond for a new elementary school, district-wide safety upgrades, and land purchases for future sites. These investments reflect a district that is actively building to absorb enrollment growth projected to increase substantially. For families already in or moving to the area, this means continued construction and shifting attendance boundaries.
Housing in the school’s zip code carries above-average values compared to statewide and national benchmarks, with a typical monthly mortgage estimate that outstrips the average rent. The broader Omaha metro has a diversified economy anchored by several large corporate headquarters, and the region has seen moderate population growth. The school’s immediate area is car-dependent suburban development, with walkable amenities concentrated downtown and in the Old Market district, a fair drive away.
Falling Waters Elementary offers a regular, neighborhood-school experience in a growing suburban district with recent capital improvements. Its academic profile is strongest in science, with mixed results in math and reading by grade level and an overall proficiency position below the median of Douglas County districts. Families considering this school may want to explore grade-level variation in math and reading further with the school and factor in the district’s active expansion and its implications for future class sizes and school assignments.
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