Excellent

#96 of 966 schools in NE

Top 10% in state

Falling Waters Elementary School

Elementary School · GRETNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

11717 S 216TH ST, Gretna, NE 68028

Last updated: May 2026

Enrollment

515

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

515

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated
2022-23

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gretna

#1 of 11

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#72 of 530

In district

#1 of 10

GRETNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Falling Waters Elementary School

Falling Waters Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gretna, NE, part of the GRETNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The school serves approximately 515 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.2th percentile among NE schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math and 66% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $141,356, where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Falling Waters Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data2

Annual Change+6.5 pts/yr

Data Period2021–2022

TrendImproving

Academics8.9Excellent30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency57%

Reading/ELA Proficiency70%

Overall Proficiency64%

Expected (poverty-adj.)47%

vs. Expected+16.7 pts

Adjusted Percentile84th

College Readiness—Not Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1

Per-Pupil Spending$11,172

Falling Waters Elementary School — Students at Falling Waters Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.5%

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 66.0%

School

State

N/A

Based on 4 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*

Math

52%

ELA

62%

2022

Math

57%

ELA

70%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Falling Waters Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score

8.3/10

90th percentile in NE

Academic

8.9/10

Growth

9.9/10

Above average

Environment

3.4/10

Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

15%

Teaching Staff

16:1 student-teacher ratio

33 teachers

Performance Trends

Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2021) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2021) to 70% (2022).

Location

11717 S 216TH ST, Gretna, NE 68028

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Falling Waters Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. REEDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is BLUE SAGE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Elkhorn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WHITETAIL CREEK ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gretna, see our Gretna schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
REAGAN ELEMENTARY Omaha	1.2 mi	507	7.4
REEDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gretna	1.1 mi	533	8.2
WHITETAIL CREEK ELEMENTARY Gretna	1.5 mi	563	7.7
NOOR ACADEMY NE Omaha	1.5 mi	12	—
BEADLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha	1.5 mi	1,008	6.6
MILLARD WEST HIGH SCHOOL Omaha	1.7 mi	2,304	7.2
WEST BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha	2.3 mi	458	6.3
WHEELER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha	1.8 mi	638	6.4
BLUE SAGE ELEMENTARY Elkhorn	2.2 mi	612	8.1
ROHWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha	2.3 mi	455	7.2
RUSSELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Omaha	2.2 mi	738	7.0
ELKHORN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL Omaha	3.1 mi	1,407	8.2
ASPEN CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gretna	3.1 mi	529	7.0
WILLOWDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha	2.5 mi	468	6.7
ELKHORN VALLEY VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Elkhorn	3.4 mi	622	6.9
ASPEN CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Gretna	3.3 mi	782	6.2
ST STEPHEN THE MARTYR SCHOOL Omaha	2.7 mi	624	4.0
SQUIRE JOHN THOMAS ELEMENTARY Gretna	3.6 mi	393	5.3
GRETNA HIGH SCHOOL Gretna	3.9 mi	1,124	6.8
SPRING RIDGE ELEMENTARY Omaha	3.7 mi	490	7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,356

Median Home Value

$370,500

Median Rent

$1,434/mo

Population

17,248

College Educated

54.7%

Homeownership

84.9%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

2.2%

Median Age

33.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Falling Waters Elementary School has a median household income of $141,356. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,500, with a median rent of $1,434/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield, NE	379	8.3
WALNUT CREEK ELEMENTARY Papillion, NE	419	8.3
WALT DISNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE	393	8.4
WESTRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elkhorn, NE	373	8.4
REEDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gretna, NE	533	8.2
BLUE SAGE ELEMENTARY Elkhorn, NE	612	8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Falling Waters Elementary School

What grades does Falling Waters Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Falling Waters Elementary School?

Falling Waters Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 515 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Falling Waters Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Falling Waters Elementary School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Falling Waters Elementary School rank in NE?

Falling Waters Elementary School is ranked #96 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Falling Waters Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Falling Waters Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Falling Waters Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Falling Waters Elementary School has 54.5% math proficiency and 66.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Falling Waters Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Falling Waters Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

14.8% of students at Falling Waters 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.

Explore More Schools

All schools in Gretna, NE Schools in NE GRETNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS District 20 nearby schools

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score: 8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score: 9 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety: Low (111/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades: Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment: 515
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15.6:1
Teachers (FTE): 33
Free/Reduced Lunch: 14.8%
Type: regular
Setting: Fringe Rural
County: Douglas County
Phone: (402) 332-3938
Data Year: 2023–2024

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

GRETNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

District Enrollment: 6,788
Schools in District: 11
Per-Pupil Spending: $11,616
District Rank: #1 of 10

Other Schools in This District

GRETNA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.7 WHITETAIL CREEK ELEMENTARY 7.7 HARVEST HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.1 ASPEN CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.0 GRETNA HIGH SCHOOL 6.8

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

Data sources

NCES CCDSY 2022-23 NE EDFACTS2021-22 NCES EdFacts2019–2022 Census ACS2019-2023 MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

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