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
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
Enrollment
79
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Emmetsburg Catholic School compares to the 3 public schools in Emmetsburg, IA
Student Demographics
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.
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 IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (712) 852-3464
- 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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