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Very Good

#253 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 20% in state

Bluff Elementary School

Elementary School · Clinton Comm School District

1421 S Bluff Blvd, Clinton, IA 52732

Enrollment

391

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clinton

#3 of 6

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#171 of 662

In district

#3 of 6

Clinton Comm School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Bluff Elementary School

Bluff Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Clinton, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 391 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Bluff Elementary’s academic performance places it at the 39th percentile among Iowa schools, reflecting areas for growth in ELA/Reading (61% proficiency), Math (65% proficiency), and Science (52% proficiency).

The school is situated in a town setting without immediate neighborhood data available to describe. Despite its current ranking, Bluff Elementary provides a supportive environment with dedicated educators focused on student development and academic improvement for all learners.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Bluff Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,455

Bluff Elementary School — Students at Bluff Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.9%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 61.3%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
74.5%
ELA
70.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.9/10.

How Bluff Elementary School Compares

See how Bluff Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1421 S Bluff Blvd, Clinton, IA 52732

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bluff Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whittier Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Virgil Grissom Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Princeton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagle Heights Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Clinton, see our Clinton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Whittier Elementary School Clinton 0.8 mi 8.9
Clinton High School Clinton 0.7 mi 4.8
Jefferson Elementary School Clinton 1.0 mi 5.9
Clinton Middle School Clinton 1.9 mi 6.5
PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clinton 1.5 mi 7.1
Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton 3.2 mi 7.9
Camanche Elementary Camanche 3.5 mi 4.1
Camanche High School Camanche 3.9 mi 7.6
Camanche Middle School Camanche 3.9 mi 6.0
UNITY CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fulton 3.9 mi 6.2
UNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fulton 4.0 mi 6.3
Fulton High School Fulton 4.0 mi 6.4
Early Step Pre-School Fulton 4.1 mi 5.1
River Bend Middle School Fulton 4.2 mi 4.6
Fulton Elem School Fulton 4.3 mi 6.5
Virgil Grissom Elementary School Princeton 12.7 mi 8.6
Northeast Middle-High School Goose Lake 12.1 mi 7.7
Northeast Elementary School Goose Lake 12.3 mi 6.1
Riverdale Middle School Port Byron 15.0 mi 7.5
Riverdale Sr High School Port Byron 15.2 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52732 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,380

Median Home Value

$118,700

Median Rent

$768/mo

Population

26,004

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bluff Elementary School has a median household income of $58,380. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,700, with a median rent of $768/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA 7.5
Creston Elementary School Creston, IA 7.5
Echo Hill Elementary Marion, IA 7.5
Forest Grove Elementary Bettendorf, IA 7.5
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale, IA 7.5
Mediapolis Elementary School Mediapolis, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bluff Elementary School

What grades does Bluff Elementary School serve?

Bluff Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bluff Elementary School?

Bluff Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bluff Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bluff Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bluff Elementary School rank in IA?

Bluff Elementary School is ranked #253 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Bluff Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bluff Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bluff Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bluff Elementary School has 64.9% math proficiency and 61.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bluff Elementary School a charter school?

No, Bluff Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bluff Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Bluff Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bluff Elementary School?

69.8% of students at Bluff Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,124/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clinton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Clinton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clinton Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,359
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,503
District Rank
#3 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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