Needs Improvement
#1221 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
3.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,206
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Council Bluffs
#17 of 17
public schools
Iowa high schools
#318 of 334
In district
#14 of 14
Council Bluffs Comm School District
About Thomas Jefferson High School
Thomas Jefferson High School serves 1,206 students in grades 9-12 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1 across 64 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large suburban area on West Broadway, the school is working to improve academic outcomes with room for significant growth in both English Language Arts, where 49% of students score proficient or above, and mathematics, where 39% reach proficiency levels. As one of Iowa's larger high schools, Thomas Jefferson operates within the Pottawattamie County school system, currently ranking in the 1st percentile statewide.
The school community reflects the broader Council Bluffs area, where the median household income is $56,054 and the poverty rate stands at 14.2%. With 15% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves a diverse student population in a community where median home values average $130,300. The substantial enrollment of over 1,200 students provides opportunities for varied programming and activities, though academic performance indicates the school is focusing on strengthening educational outcomes across all grade levels.
Thomas Jefferson High School sits within Council Bluffs' suburban landscape, serving families throughout the 51501 ZIP code area of this Missouri River community.
Score Breakdown
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Thomas Jefferson High School — Students at Thomas Jefferson High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Thomas Jefferson High School Compares
See how Thomas Jefferson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 49% (2022).
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. Edison Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hoover Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bloomer Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 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 | 8.0 |
| Woodrow Wilson Middle School Council Bluffs | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Franklin Elementary School Council Bluffs | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Council Bluffs | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Bloomer Elementary School Council Bluffs | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| NCYF COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Omaha | 1.9 mi | — |
| Longfellow Elementary School Council Bluffs | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| E A Kreft Primary School Council Bluffs | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| PINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Omaha | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| BANCROFT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 3.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Gerald W Kirn Middle School Council Bluffs | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| ONESCHOOL GLOBAL Council Bluffs | 3.3 mi | — |
| LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha | 3.2 mi | 4.3 |
| CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Omaha | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Jefferson High School has a median household income of $59,314. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,400, with a median rent of $997/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge, IA | 4.0 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.8 |
| Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant, IA | 4.1 |
| Burlington Community High School Burlington, IA | 3.6 |
| Marshalltown High School Marshalltown, IA | 4.2 |
| North Scott High School Eldridge, IA | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #1221 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Thomas Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Jefferson High School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Thomas Jefferson High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Jefferson High School has 46.9% math proficiency and 49.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 84 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 54 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,886/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Council Bluffs). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (712) 328-6493
- 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
- #14 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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