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#1246 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Good Shepherd Lutheran School

Elementary School

1180 LYNWOOD DR, Novato, CA 94947

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Good Shepherd Lutheran School compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Novato, CA

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
This School
vs
21.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
186
This School
vs
397
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.7
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 82.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.3% vs 0%
Asian 2.7% vs 0%
Black 2.2% vs 0%
Good Shepherd Lutheran School Novato Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,170
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 31%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 186
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)

White 82.3%
Two or More 8.6%
Hispanic 4.3%
Asian 2.7%
Black 2.2%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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