Average
#1246 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Elementary School
1180 LYNWOOD DR, Novato, CA 94947
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 15 schools in Novato. Learn more
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#743 of 1,102
About Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Good Shepherd Lutheran School serves 186 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Novato's affluent Marin County community. This elementary school maintains an impressive 9.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #270 out of 1,790 California schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers a favorable 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in smaller class settings.
This intimate learning environment supports students across their elementary and middle school years in a single, continuous educational setting. The school draws families from a well-educated neighborhood where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $121,338. The surrounding community reflects Marin County's characteristic prosperity, with median home values of $928,100 and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.6%.
Located on Lynwood Drive, Good Shepherd Lutheran School sits in Novato's large suburban setting, providing students with the benefits of small-school community feel while being part of the broader Bay Area's educational landscape. The school serves families seeking a close-knit learning environment in one of Northern California's most desirable suburban communities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 186 students, Good Shepherd Lutheran School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
As a private school, Good Shepherd Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2020 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $2,248
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $2,824
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.26x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 47%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $140,392
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 186 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Good Shepherd Lutheran School compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Novato, CA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Good Shepherd Lutheran School (this school) | 5.7 |
| Lynwood Elementary | 7.8 |
| San Jose Middle | 5.2 |
| Rancho Elementary | 8.1 |
| Loma Verde Elementary | 8.0 |
| Nova Education Center | 7.3 |
| Olive Elementary | 6.0 |
| Lu Sutton Elementary | 6.4 |
| Hamilton TK-8 | 5.2 |
| Novato Charter | 5.1 |
| Sinaloa Middle | 6.0 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary | 6.3 |
| San Ramon Elementary | 8.2 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1180 LYNWOOD DR, Novato, CA 94947
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Good Shepherd Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rancho Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Loma Verde Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lynwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Novato, see our Novato schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lynwood Elementary Novato | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Marin Christian Academy Main Campus Novato | 0.6 mi | — |
| San Jose Middle Novato | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Marin Christian Academy North Campus Novato | 1.0 mi | — |
| NORTH BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Novato | 1.0 mi | — |
| Novato High Novato | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Loma Verde Elementary Novato | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Rancho Elementary Novato | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Marin Oaks High Novato | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Nova Education Center Novato | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Olive Elementary Novato | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Lu Sutton Elementary Novato | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Hamilton TK-8 Novato | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Novato Charter Novato | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Mary E. Silveira Elementary San Rafael | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Sinaloa Middle Novato | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Miller Creek Middle San Rafael | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| GATE Academy San Rafael | 3.5 mi | — |
| MARIN WALDORF SCHOOL San Rafael | 3.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Winston Preparatory School San Rafael | 3.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94947 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,690
Median Home Value
$995,000
Median Rent
$2,526/mo
Population
24,360
College Educated
47.5%
Homeownership
69.6%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
47.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Good Shepherd Lutheran School has a median household income of $126,690. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $995,000, with a median rent of $2,526/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Clay Elementary Kingsburg, CA | 5.7 |
| Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine, CA | 5.7 |
| Dehesa Elementary El Cajon, CA | 5.7 |
| Florence Elementary San Diego, CA | 5.7 |
| HOLY MARTYRS ARMENIAN ELEMENTARY North Hills, CA | 5.7 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Los Angeles, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Good Shepherd Lutheran School
What grades does Good Shepherd Lutheran School serve?
Good Shepherd Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Good Shepherd Lutheran School?
Good Shepherd Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 186 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Good Shepherd Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Good Shepherd Lutheran School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Good Shepherd Lutheran School rank in CA?
Good Shepherd Lutheran School is ranked #1246 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Good Shepherd Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Good Shepherd Lutheran School has a composite rating of 5.7 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.
Is Good Shepherd Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Good Shepherd Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Other Lutheran affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Good Shepherd Lutheran School a religious school?
Good Shepherd Lutheran School has a Other Lutheran religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,645/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Novato). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 186
- Gender Split
- 46% M / 54% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Other Lutheran
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- MARIN
- Phone
- (415) 897-2510
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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