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Needs Improvement

#1235 of 1,280 schools in IA

Thomas Jefferson High School

High School · Council Bluffs Comm School District

2501 W Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Enrollment

1,206

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

2.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,235 of 1,280

In Council Bluffs

#17 of 17

public schools

In district

#14 of 14

Council Bluffs Comm School District

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Thomas Jefferson High School

2.9/10

High School in Council Bluffs · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Edison Elementary School

5.7/10

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

Woodrow Wilson Middle School

5.3/10

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

About Thomas Jefferson High School

Thomas Jefferson High School is a public high school in Council Bluffs, IA, part of Council Bluffs Comm School District. Thomas Jefferson High School serves approximately 1,206 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,235 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Jefferson High School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.3
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Thomas Jefferson High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness3.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84%
AP Participation6.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,159
Chronic Absenteeism48.3%

Thomas Jefferson High School — Students at Thomas Jefferson High School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 57.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (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
61%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
68%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2025
Math
51.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Thomas Jefferson High School Compares

See how Thomas Jefferson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
4th percentile in IA
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 1.7
Sports
6
3 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6.1% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics6sports offered
3 boys'·3 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

2501 W Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Jefferson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lewis & Clark Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gerald W Kirn Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hoover Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Council Bluffs, see our Council Bluffs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Edison Elementary School Council Bluffs 0.3 mi 5.7
Woodrow Wilson Middle School Council Bluffs 0.8 mi 5.3
Franklin Elementary School Council Bluffs 0.7 mi 5.7
Roosevelt Elementary School Council Bluffs 0.8 mi 5.5
Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs 0.9 mi 4.9
Bloomer Elementary School Council Bluffs 1.5 mi 5.4
NCYF COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Omaha 1.9 mi
Longfellow Elementary School Council Bluffs 1.8 mi 5.1
E A Kreft Primary School Council Bluffs 2.8 mi 5.7
Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs 2.4 mi 7.2
Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake 2.7 mi 4.6
PINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha 2.6 mi 4.0
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Omaha 2.6 mi 6.4
Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs 2.6 mi 6.6
BANCROFT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha 3.0 mi 2.8
Gerald W Kirn Middle School Council Bluffs 2.7 mi 6.9
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL Council Bluffs 3.3 mi
LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha 3.2 mi 3.0
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Omaha 3.2 mi 5.0
ST ALBERT CATHOLIC Council Bluffs 3.2 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,314

Median Home Value

$140,400

Median Rent

$997/mo

Population

34,928

College Educated

16.7%

Homeownership

66.2%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge, IA 2.9
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake, IA 2.9
North High School Sioux City, IA 3.0
Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.0
West High School Sioux City, IA 3.2
Iowa Connections Academy High School Anita, IA 2.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Jefferson High School

What grades does Thomas Jefferson High School serve?

Thomas Jefferson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Thomas Jefferson High School?

Thomas Jefferson High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,206 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson High School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Jefferson High School rank in IA?

Thomas Jefferson High School ranks #1,235 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Thomas Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Jefferson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Thomas Jefferson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Jefferson High School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Thomas Jefferson High School a charter school?

No, Thomas Jefferson High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas Jefferson High School a Title I school?

No, Thomas Jefferson High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Jefferson High School?

57.0% of students at Thomas Jefferson High 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
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,206
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pottawattamie County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.3%
4-Year Graduation
84.0%

District

Council Bluffs Comm School District
District Enrollment
8,546
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,159
District Rank
#14 of 14

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