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Average

#878 of 1,280 schools in IA

Bluff Elementary School

Elementary School · Clinton Comm School District

1421 S Bluff Blvd, Clinton, IA 52732

Enrollment

391

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#878 of 1,280

In Clinton

#3 of 6

public schools

In district

#3 of 6

Clinton Comm School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Bluff Elementary School

5.5/10

Elementary School in Clinton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Whittier Elementary School

9.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Clinton High School

3.6/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bluff Elementary School

Bluff Elementary School is a public elementary school in Clinton, IA, part of Clinton Comm School District. Bluff Elementary School serves approximately 391 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bluff Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #878 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Bluff Elementary School show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency73% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,503
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Bluff Elementary School — Students at Bluff Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

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 70.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 69.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
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: 2.9/10.

How Bluff Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in IA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Virgil Grissom Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Princeton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagle Heights Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably 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 9.3
Clinton High School Clinton 0.7 mi 3.6
Jefferson Elementary School Clinton 1.0 mi 4.7
Clinton Middle School Clinton 1.9 mi 5.2
PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clinton 1.5 mi 7.1
Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton 3.2 mi 7.8
Camanche Elementary Camanche 3.5 mi 4.5
Camanche High School Camanche 3.9 mi 7.4
Camanche Middle School Camanche 3.9 mi 6.7
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 6.2
Early Step Pre-School Fulton 4.1 mi 5.1
River Bend Middle School Fulton 4.2 mi 3.9
Fulton Elem School Fulton 4.3 mi 6.4
Virgil Grissom Elementary School Princeton 12.7 mi 9.2
Northeast Middle-High School Goose Lake 12.1 mi 8.2
Northeast Elementary School Goose Lake 12.3 mi 7.1
Riverdale Middle School Port Byron 15.0 mi 6.8
Riverdale Sr High School Port Byron 15.2 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton, IA 5.5
Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 5.5
Fillmore Elementary School Davenport, IA 5.5
ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City, IA 5.5
Pekin Elementary School Packwood, IA 5.5
Prairie Heights Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.5

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 ranks #878 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Bluff Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bluff Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bluff Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bluff Elementary School has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

District

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

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