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Very Good

#28 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 17% of private schools

Emmetsburg Catholic School

Elementary School

1903 BROADWAY ST, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

79

Student-Teacher

8.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#18 of 103

About Emmetsburg Catholic School

Emmetsburg Catholic School serves 79 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in this close-knit Iowa community. With just 9 full-time teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking 32nd out of 157 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 80th percentile with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10.

This strong showing reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in an intimate learning environment where every student is known and supported. The surrounding community of Emmetsburg offers a stable foundation for families, with a median household income of $60,000 and median home values around $123,800. About one in five residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, contributing to a community that values education.

The poverty rate of 15.1% indicates some economic diversity within the area. Emmetsburg Catholic School operates in a remote town setting, providing students with a peaceful, small-town educational experience where community connections run deep and the pace of life allows for meaningful relationships to flourish.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 79 students, Emmetsburg Catholic 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 8.7:1, Emmetsburg Catholic 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, Emmetsburg Catholic 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Emmetsburg Catholic School compares to the 3 public schools in Emmetsburg, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.7:1
This School
vs
32.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
79
This School
vs
250
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.3
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 87.3% vs 0%
Asian 5.1% vs 0%
Black 3.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.3% vs 0%
Emmetsburg Catholic School Emmetsburg Public Avg

All Schools in Emmetsburg

School Rating
Emmetsburg Catholic School (this school) 7.3
West Elementary School 7.8
Emmetsburg Middle School 8.6
Emmetsburg High School 4.8

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)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,263.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 23%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 79
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 IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.6%
School
State
73.6%
ELA Proficiency 78.5%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 87.3%
Asian 5.1%
Black 3.8%
Two or More 2.5%
Hispanic 1.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1903 BROADWAY ST, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emmetsburg Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Union Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Fenton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Emmetsburg, see our Emmetsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.6 mi
School Distance Rating
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 0.8 mi 7.8
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 1.2 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 1.2 mi 8.6
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 10.0 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 10.0 mi 6.9
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 11.4 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 11.4 mi 6.3
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 15.3 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 15.3 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 15.3 mi 6.5
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 19.3 mi 4.2
North Union Elementary Fenton 16.5 mi 9.5
Demoney Elementary Estherville 21.8 mi 6.1
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 21.9 mi 5.8
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 21.9 mi 7.9
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 22.5 mi
North Union High School Armstrong 22.8 mi 8.4
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 20.4 mi 9.1
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 25.5 mi 5.8
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 25.6 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,404

Median Home Value

$121,300

Median Rent

$599/mo

Population

4,287

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

70.8%

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emmetsburg Catholic School has a median household income of $62,404. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,300, with a median rent of $599/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School Charter Oak, IA 7.3
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City, IA 7.2
Olin Elementary School Olin, IA 7.2
Marnie Simons Elementary School Hamburg, IA 7.4
IRETON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Ireton, IA 7.1
Johnston Elementary School Hopkinton, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emmetsburg Catholic School

What grades does Emmetsburg Catholic School serve?

Emmetsburg Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Emmetsburg Catholic School?

Emmetsburg Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 79 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emmetsburg Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at Emmetsburg Catholic School is 8.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Emmetsburg Catholic School rank in IA?

Emmetsburg Catholic School is ranked #28 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Emmetsburg Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emmetsburg Catholic School has a composite rating of 7.3 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.

What are the test scores at Emmetsburg Catholic School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emmetsburg Catholic School has 69.6% math proficiency and 78.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Emmetsburg Catholic School a private school?

Yes, Emmetsburg Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Emmetsburg Catholic School a religious school?

Emmetsburg Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (806/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Emmetsburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
79
Gender Split
44% M / 56% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.1 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
PALO ALTO
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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