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Average

#455 of 966 schools in NE

Top 47% in state

Cottonwood Elementary School

Elementary School · MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

615 PIEDMONT DR, Omaha, NE 68154

Enrollment

323

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Omaha

#46 of 146

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#261 of 530

In district

#23 of 34

MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Cottonwood Elementary School

Cottonwood Elementary School serves 323 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Omaha's 68154 ZIP code area. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating and ranking 183rd out of 974 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among Nebraska schools.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 57% reaching proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This academic success reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education to its diverse student body. Cottonwood Elementary is situated in an established neighborhood where families value education, with 50% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area's median household income of $79,831 and low poverty rate of 6.5% contribute to a stable community environment that supports student learning. The neighborhood's median home value of $280,800 reflects its desirability among families seeking quality schools. Located on Piedmont Drive, Cottonwood Elementary serves as an educational anchor in this thriving section of Omaha, where strong community support and economic stability create an environment conducive to student achievement and growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,075

Cottonwood Elementary School — Students at Cottonwood Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Cottonwood Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in NE
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

615 PIEDMONT DR, Omaha, NE 68154

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EZRA MILLARD ELEMENTARY SCH (rated 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ALDRICH ELEMENTARY (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WILLA CATHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Omaha, see our Omaha schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
KIEWIT MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha 0.3 mi 6.8
ST WENCESLAUS SCHOOL Omaha 0.5 mi 4.8
LIFEGATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Omaha 0.6 mi 5.5
HARVEY OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha 0.9 mi 6.6
J STERLING MORTON ELEM SCHOOL Omaha 0.9 mi 4.9
MILLARD NORTH HIGH SCHOOL Omaha 0.8 mi 7.0
GRACE ABBOTT ELEM SCHOOL Omaha 1.2 mi 6.6
ALDRICH ELEMENTARY Omaha 1.0 mi 7.8
WEGNER SCHOOL Boys Town 1.2 mi 7.9
VJ & ANGELA SKUTT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Omaha 1.7 mi 5.2
BOYS TOWN SCHOOLS Boys Town 1.5 mi 8.6
EZRA MILLARD ELEMENTARY SCH Omaha 1.9 mi 8.0
MONTCLAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha 1.8 mi 7.7
MILLARD NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha 2.0 mi 5.7
LA BELLA VITA MONTESSORI SCHOOL, LLC Omaha 2.1 mi
PICOTTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha 2.3 mi 4.0
WILLA CATHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha 2.1 mi 7.8
ELKHORN RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha 2.0 mi 7.2
SPRING RIDGE ELEMENTARY Omaha 2.1 mi 7.4
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Omaha 2.6 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68154 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,509

Median Home Value

$297,800

Median Rent

$1,185/mo

Population

23,232

College Educated

51.2%

Homeownership

59%

Avg Commute

17.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary School has a median household income of $82,509. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $297,800, with a median rent of $1,185/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
CALVERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln, NE 6.5
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairbury, NE 6.5
ELLIOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln, NE 6.5
G STANLEY HALL ELEMENTARY SCH La Vista, NE 6.5
JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 6.5
LEMAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bellevue, NE 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary School

What grades does Cottonwood Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary School?

Cottonwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cottonwood Elementary School rank in NE?

Cottonwood Elementary School is ranked #455 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Cottonwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Cottonwood Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary School has 62.0% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cottonwood Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cottonwood Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

36.2% of students at Cottonwood 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

City Safety
High (3,549/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Douglas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
23,300
Schools in District
36
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,579
District Rank
#23 of 34

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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