Average
#135 of 157 private schools in IA
Central Iowa Christian School
Elementary School
1331 HOBART ST, Grinnell, IA 50112
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#88 of 103
About Central Iowa Christian School
Central Iowa Christian School serves 52 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Grinnell, Iowa. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships. The school earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks 97th among Iowa's 157 elementary schools, placing it in the 39th percentile statewide.
This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in an intimate learning environment. Located at 1331 Hobart Street, Central Iowa Christian School sits in a community where 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $61,467. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.8%, with median home values around $188,400, indicating a stable residential area that values education.
The school's small size creates a tight-knit community atmosphere where students receive individualized support throughout their elementary and middle school years. Central Iowa Christian School operates in Grinnell's remote town setting, offering families a close-knit educational experience within Poweshiek County's rural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 52 students, Central Iowa Christian 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Central Iowa Christian School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Central Iowa Christian 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
- $4,343
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $4,090
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.94x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 82%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $142,779
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 52 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Central Iowa Christian School compares to the 5 public schools in Grinnell, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Grinnell
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Iowa Christian School (this school) | 5.2 |
| Fairview Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Bailey Park Elementary School | 7.0 |
| Davis Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Grinnell Community Senior High School | 7.2 |
| Grinnell Community Middle School | 6.9 |
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 IA.
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 IA
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
1331 HOBART ST, Grinnell, IA 50112
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Iowa Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lynnville-Sully Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Sully), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Montezuma Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Montezuma), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grinnell, see our Grinnell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50112 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,707
Median Home Value
$198,100
Median Rent
$863/mo
Population
11,776
College Educated
37.6%
Homeownership
68.8%
Avg Commute
15.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Iowa Christian School has a median household income of $64,707. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,100, with a median rent of $863/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Protivin, IA | 5.0 |
| INWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Inwood, IA | 5.5 |
| LA SALLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Holy Cross, IA | 5.5 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Monticello, IA | 5.5 |
| SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully, IA | 4.9 |
| TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg, IA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Iowa Christian School
What grades does Central Iowa Christian School serve?
Central Iowa Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Central Iowa Christian School?
Central Iowa Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Iowa Christian School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Iowa Christian School is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Central Iowa Christian School rank in IA?
Central Iowa Christian School is ranked #135 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Central Iowa Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Iowa Christian School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Central Iowa Christian School a private school?
Yes, Central Iowa Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Central Iowa Christian School a religious school?
Central Iowa Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,407/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grinnell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 52
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 6.8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- POWESHIEK
- Phone
- (641) 236-3000
- 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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