Summary:
The city of Carter Lake, Iowa has only one public elementary school, Carter Lake Elementary School, which serves students from kindergarten through 5th grade. The school is part of the Council Bluffs Community School District.
Carter Lake Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Iowa elementary schools over the past few years, with a ranking of 475 out of 576 in 2024-2025, 498 out of 557 in 2023-2024, and 532 out of 565 in 2022-2023. The school's performance on standardized tests is generally below the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas, with proficiency rates ranging from 42.4% in 5th grade science to 68.8% in 4th grade math, compared to state averages of 64.2% and 74.3%, respectively. The school's performance has been declining over the past few years, with proficiency rates dropping in several subject areas.
The school has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, at 59.35% in 2023-2024, and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4, which is slightly lower than the district and state averages. Despite the relatively high per-student spending of $20,698 for the 2018-2019 school year, the school's underperformance suggests that the resources may not be effectively utilized or targeted to the areas of greatest need. Addressing the challenges facing Carter Lake Elementary School will likely require a comprehensive approach that considers the school's performance, demographics, and resource allocation.
Thank you for your feedback!