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#135 of 157 private schools in IA

Central Iowa Christian School

Elementary School

1331 HOBART ST, Grinnell, IA 50112

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Central Iowa Christian School compares to the 5 public schools in Grinnell, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
This School
vs
14.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
52
This School
vs
306
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.2
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94.2% vs 0%
Black 5.8% vs 0%
Central Iowa Christian School Grinnell Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 3.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,156
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 11%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 52
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)

White 94.2%
Black 5.8%

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 0.1 mi 6.8
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 1.1 mi 6.8
Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell 1.4 mi 6.9
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 1.0 mi 7.0
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell 1.3 mi 7.2
East Marshall Middle School Gilman 9.5 mi 4.7
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 13.4 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 13.4 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 13.4 mi 6.7
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 13.8 mi 4.9
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 14.0 mi 5.3
Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma 14.7 mi 7.3
Montezuma High School Montezuma 14.7 mi 6.4
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma 14.7 mi 7.9
Meskwaki Settlement School Tama 17.1 mi
South Tama County Elementary School Tama 16.9 mi 6.8
South Tama County High School Tama 17.0 mi 5.3
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand 18.1 mi 5.8
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn 13.8 mi 8.2
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn 13.8 mi 6.6

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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