Pottawattamie County Schools & Education
Pottawattamie County, Iowa
School Score
57/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
90.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,834
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
57/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
State School Rank
#69
of 99 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Education Infrastructure in Western Iowa
Pottawattamie County oversees 34 public schools and 7 districts for a total student population of 15,576. This infrastructure is well-balanced with 19 elementary, 7 middle, and 8 high schools.
Meeting Benchmarks with Targeted Spending
The county's 90.5% graduation rate exceeds the national average, though it sits slightly below the state mark. Education is a clear priority, with $7,834 in per-pupil spending and a composite school score of 55.6.
Council Bluffs Leads the District Pack
Council Bluffs Community School District leads the region, educating 8,733 students across 15 schools. No charter schools operate in the county, maintaining a traditional public school focus across all seven districts.
A Blend of City and Country Schools
The county features a split personality with 17 rural schools and 16 city schools. Abraham Lincoln High School is the largest campus with nearly 1,400 students, while the average school size county-wide is 458.
Live Near Top Pottawattamie Schools
Families often look to the Council Bluffs and Lewis Central districts for diverse educational programs and strong athletics. Evaluating school rankings is a smart move for any home buyer looking at the eastern side of the Omaha metro.
School Overview
Total Schools
34
in Pottawattamie County
Total Enrollment
15,576
students
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
7 School Districts in Pottawattamie County
Council Bluffs Comm School District
Lewis Central Comm School District
Underwood Comm School District
Treynor Comm School District
AHSTW Comm School District
Tri-Center Comm School District
Riverside Comm School District
34 Public Schools in Pottawattamie County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln High School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,399 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,243 |
| Gerald W Kirn Middle School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 956 |
| Lewis Central Senior High School | Lewis Central Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 927 |
| Woodrow Wilson Middle School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 900 |
| Titan Hill Intermediate School | Lewis Central Comm School District | 2–5 | Primary | 863 |
| Lewis Central Middle School | Lewis Central Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 742 |
| Franklin Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 497 |
| E A Kreft Primary School | Lewis Central Comm School District | PK–1 | Primary | 490 |
| Longfellow Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 481 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 462 |
| College View Elementary | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 449 |
| Edison Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 432 |
| Hoover Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 429 |
| Bloomer Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 422 |
| Underwood Elementary School | Underwood Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 396 |
| Rue Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 372 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School | Council Bluffs Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 361 |
| Riverside Community High School | Riverside Comm School District | 6–12 | High | 359 |
| Tri-Center Elementary School | Tri-Center Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 352 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,834
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pottawattamie County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pottawattamie County, Iowa?
Pottawattamie County oversees 34 public schools and 7 districts for a total student population of 15,576. This infrastructure is well-balanced with 19 elementary, 7 middle, and 8 high schools.
How do schools in Pottawattamie County perform academically?
The county's 90.5% graduation rate exceeds the national average, though it sits slightly below the state mark. Education is a clear priority, with $7,834 in per-pupil spending and a composite school score of 55.6.
What are the major school districts in Pottawattamie County, Iowa?
Council Bluffs Community School District leads the region, educating 8,733 students across 15 schools. No charter schools operate in the county, maintaining a traditional public school focus across all seven districts.
What is the school experience like in Pottawattamie County?
The county features a split personality with 17 rural schools and 16 city schools. Abraham Lincoln High School is the largest campus with nearly 1,400 students, while the average school size county-wide is 458.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pottawattamie County, Iowa?
Families often look to the Council Bluffs and Lewis Central districts for diverse educational programs and strong athletics. Evaluating school rankings is a smart move for any home buyer looking at the eastern side of the Omaha metro.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.