Five Omaha schools merged in a 1988 consolidation plan to create Bancroft Elementary, located at 2724 Riverview Blvd. The school serves over 500 students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. The school is close to Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and the Lauritzen Gardens. A full-day kindergarten at the zoo is one of the projects supported by Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. The Lauritzen Gardens also provide enrichment opportunities that support students at school. Support classes for Eniglish-Learning, Resource, and Gifted/Talented are offered to identified students. The latest technologies available to students include iPads, Prometheon Boards, Apple TVs, and a school accessible FUSE lab. Morning and evening programs of Kid's Club and ZAP (Zoo Afterschool Program) are available for student enrichment. Bancroft Elementary works closely with parents and the community, providing a positive educational atmosphere that encourages students to achieve and become responsible citizens.

Bancroft opened as a school in 1912.  The building was named after American historian and Nebraska pioneer George Bancroft. 
The school served the Omaha community as a junior high school from 1964 – 1986.  In 1976, the year busing started, students who lived in the Castelar, Jackson, Kellom, Lincoln, Mason, and Train attendance areas attended Bancroft for 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.  Rosewater and Vinton students just attended Bancroft in 9th grade.  Bancroft was rebuilt in 1988 at the cost of $6.2 million.  The school was reopened as an elementary school with students from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade.