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Carter Lake, Iowa City OfficesPhoto: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0
D
Schools in Carter Lake · Council Bluffs Community School District

Carter Lake’s public schools score below 93% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

In Carter Lake, 57% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Iowa average (70%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carter Lake, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

#125of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
57%
▼ 13 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
53%
▼ 11 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80%
▼ 8 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.0K
▲ 17% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.8
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
4,548 students on the public path
In brief

Carter Lake’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 57% of tested students were proficient in reading and 53% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,997 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Carter Lake’s grade

D Test scoresD Graduation

D: better than 7% of Iowa school districts, #125 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 7%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (479)Better than 5%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,566 test results and a graduating class of 664 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Carter Lake’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,578 in math, 5,555 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carter Lake, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Carter Lake Elementary SchoolCouncil Bluffs Community School DistrictD−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressD to C−

Carter Lake’s public schools are run by Council Bluffs Community School District, which also serves Council Bluffs and Crescent. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Council Bluffs Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 15 schools · 8,299 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 14.8 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$15,997IA $13,713 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading57%
State average 69.7% · 5555 students tested
Math53%
State average 63.8% · 5578 students tested

Carter Lake vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Carter Lake’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Carter LakeDCouncil Bluffs
Council BluffsC−Council Bluffs PK–12 · Lewis Central PK–12

Omaha, NE borders Carter Lake but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Carter Lake

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Carter Lakeby address
Carter Lake Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D−
301 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Carter Lakein other towns
Gerald W Kirn Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Council Bluffs
C−
913 students16:1Rate it →
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Council Bluffs
C−
855 students14:1Rate it →
Abraham Lincoln High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Council Bluffs
C−
1,333 students15:1Rate it →
Thomas Jefferson High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Council Bluffs
D
1,146 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Carter Lake’s schools

Are Carter Lake’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Carter Lake children attend score below 93% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #125 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carter Lake in?

Council Bluffs Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,299 students in 15 schools (2024–25).

Where do Carter Lake kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Abraham Lincoln High School and Thomas Jefferson High School.

What is Carter Lake’s graduation rate?

80% of the class of 2023 in Council Bluffs Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Carter Lake spend per student?

$15,997 in Council Bluffs Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Carter Lake families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carter Lake → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.