Very Good
#348 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 27% in state
Carter Lake Elementary School
Elementary School · Council Bluffs Comm School District
1000 Willow Drive, Carter Lake, IA 51510
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#223 of 662
In district
#5 of 14
Council Bluffs Comm School District
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Carter Lake Elementary School
Carter Lake Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban community of Carter Lake, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school boasts an enrollment of 337 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Carter Lake Elementary is currently focusing on areas for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and state ranking of 956th out of 1288 schools in Iowa (placing it around the 26th percentile).
In terms of proficiency scores, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 56% in Math, and 42% in Science. These figures suggest there is room for growth in academic performance. Carter Lake Elementary is situated in a large suburban area that offers a blend of residential neighborhoods and nearby amenities.
The school community works closely with families to support student development and progress.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Carter Lake 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Carter Lake Elementary School — Students at Carter Lake Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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 Carter Lake Elementary School Compares
See how Carter Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
1000 Willow Drive, Carter Lake, IA 51510
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carter Lake Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Franklin Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Council Bluffs), with a comparable rating. Another option is KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Omaha), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rue Elementary School (rated 4.7/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Council Bluffs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Carter Lake, see our Carter Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NCYF COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Omaha | 0.9 mi | — |
| SHERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| KING SCIENCE/TECH MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha | 1.4 mi | 3.0 |
| SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| LOTHROP MAGNET CENTER Omaha | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| JESUIT ACADEMY Omaha | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| CONESTOGA MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Franklin Elementary School Council Bluffs | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT EDUCARE - KELLOM Omaha | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| KELLOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 2.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Omaha | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| EARLY LEARNING CENTER (0-3) AT KENNEDY Omaha | 2.1 mi | — |
| EARLY LEARNING CENTER (PK) AT KENNEDY Omaha | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| DRUID HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 2.2 mi | 2.6 |
| MILLER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School Council Bluffs | 2.7 mi | 3.9 |
| LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 2.9 mi | 4.3 |
| SKINNER MAGNET CENTER Omaha | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51510 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,037
Median Home Value
$161,200
Median Rent
$1,115/mo
Population
3,773
College Educated
12.9%
Homeownership
84.3%
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carter Lake Elementary School has a median household income of $75,037. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,200, with a median rent of $1,115/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA | 7.2 |
| Atkins Elementary School Atkins, IA | 7.2 |
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City, IA | 7.2 |
| Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City, IA | 7.2 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 7.2 |
| Clark Elementary School New London, IA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carter Lake Elementary School
What grades does Carter Lake Elementary School serve?
Carter Lake Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Carter Lake Elementary School?
Carter Lake Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 337 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carter Lake Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carter Lake Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carter Lake Elementary School rank in IA?
Carter Lake Elementary School is ranked #348 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Carter Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carter Lake Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Carter Lake Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter Lake Elementary School has 56.3% math proficiency and 52.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carter Lake Elementary School a charter school?
No, Carter Lake Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carter Lake Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Carter Lake Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carter Lake Elementary School?
59.3% of students at Carter Lake 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carter Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 337
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pottawattamie County
- Phone
- (712) 347-5876
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Council Bluffs Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 8,546
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,159
- District Rank
- #5 of 14
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 methodologyRelated reading
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