The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Clinton Elementary School
Clinton Elementary School is a regular public school in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Lincoln Public Schools district. It sits in a residential neighborhood near the downtown area, within a city that functions as the state’s economic and cultural anchor, shaped by government employment, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, healthcare, and a growing technology sector. The school’s enrollment is moderate for its grade band, and the student body is notably diverse. The largest group is white students, followed by Hispanic and Black students, with smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, and Native American students. Data on economic disadvantage, such as the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, was not reported, so a full picture of the school’s socioeconomic context is incomplete.
State testing results are available for reading, math, and science, but they show significant challenges. In reading, proficiency rates across grades three through five were low, with grade four the lowest and grade five showing a rate of zero. In math, every tested grade had a reported proficiency rate of zero percent. Fifth-grade science, tested at that grade only, showed a moderate proficiency rate, the strongest result among the subjects. Only one year of assessment data was available with the current test, so trends over time cannot yet be assessed. When compared with other districts across Lancaster County, Clinton Elementary’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. A parent considering this school will want to explore academic support and intervention offerings directly with the school to understand how these results are being addressed.
Because Clinton Elementary serves only elementary grades, it has no graduation rate or chronic absenteeism measures, which are typical for schools in this grade band. No data on discipline, staffing ratios, or course access were available, so those aspects of the school environment are not part of this account.
The school operates under Lincoln Public Schools, the largest district in the state. In recent years, the district has undergone significant facility changes. A substantial bond issue passed in 2020 funded the construction of two new high schools and an elementary school, along with renovations across existing sites, reshaping attendance boundaries to relieve overcrowding. The district also began implementing a science-of-reading approach for early literacy instruction across all elementary schools starting in 2023, a pedagogy shift that affects how reading is taught at Clinton Elementary. A parent may want to ask how this new literacy method is being integrated into classroom practice.
The housing market in the zip code area around Clinton Elementary reflects a community with home values and rents that are moderately below the state and national averages. The area has seen steady increases in home values and rental costs recently. Mortgage affordability, when compared against national median income, shows that owning a home here requires a substantial share of income, though less than in many higher-cost metros. The broader Lincoln economy has experienced steady population growth and development, with the city supporting a growing startup scene and affordable housing initiatives. The local unemployment rate has remained low, and the median household income nationally has been stable.
In terms of what kind of place this is, Clinton Elementary offers a diverse student body in a neighborhood within a stable, growing state capital. The academic performance numbers are the main concern for a family evaluating options. The school faces clear challenges in reading and math proficiency that are well below the county average. The science result points to a relative strength at the tested grade, but overall the picture is one of a school where a significant portion of students are not yet meeting grade-level expectations. A family may want to investigate the specific interventions, tutoring, and enrichment programs available, as well as how the district’s new literacy initiative is being carried out at this school. The school’s setting in Lincoln provides access to the city’s amenities, including university resources, parks, and civic institutions, which could be a factor for families considering the broader community context.
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