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Average

#49 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 31% of private schools

Gehlen Catholic School

School

709 PLYMOUTH ST NE, Le Mars, IA 51031

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

488

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#11 of 35

About Gehlen Catholic School

Gehlen Catholic School serves 488 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Le Mars, Iowa, offering a comprehensive educational experience with a favorable 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that supports student development across all grade levels. The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 74th among Iowa's 157 schools, placing it in the 54th percentile statewide.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to maintaining educational standards while serving its diverse student body from pre-K through high school graduation. Gehlen Catholic School is situated in a stable community where families enjoy a median household income of $75,540 and the poverty rate remains low at just 6.3 percent. The surrounding neighborhood features median home values of $190,300, indicating a middle-class residential area that values educational investment.

The school's location in Le Mars, a town setting within Plymouth County, provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to educational resources and opportunities. This environment supports the school's mission to educate students across all grade levels in a supportive, small-town setting where families can build lasting connections.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Gehlen 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 Gehlen Catholic School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Le Mars, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
This School
vs
19.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
488
This School
vs
366
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
6.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 84% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.5% vs 0%
Black 2% vs 0%
Asian 0.8% vs 0%
Gehlen Catholic School Le Mars Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Gehlen Catholic School (this school) 6.8
Franklin Elementary School 7.2
Clark Elementary School 7.8
Le Mars High School 4.5
Le Mars Middle School 7.4
Kluckhohn Elementary School 6.0
Individualized Learning Center 5.1

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 5.7 / 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+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.9 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,242
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 28%
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 488
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 83.7%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 86.1%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 12 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 84.0%
Pacific Islander 5.9%
Hispanic 5.5%
Black 2.0%
Two or More 1.4%
Asian 0.8%
Native American 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

709 PLYMOUTH ST NE, Le Mars, IA 51031

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gehlen Catholic School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Remsen-Union Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Remsen), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hinton Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Hinton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Alton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Le Mars, see our Le Mars schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Franklin Elementary School Le Mars 0.5 mi 7.2
Clark Elementary School Le Mars 0.7 mi 7.8
Kluckhohn Elementary School Le Mars 1.3 mi 6.0
Le Mars High School Le Mars 1.1 mi 4.5
Le Mars Middle School Le Mars 1.2 mi 7.4
Individualized Learning Center Le Mars 1.5 mi 5.1
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Remsen 9.6 mi 7.1
Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen 9.7 mi 8.1
Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen 9.7 mi 7.2
Hinton Elementary School Hinton 13.6 mi 7.9
Hinton High School Hinton 13.6 mi 5.5
Hinton Intermediate School Hinton 13.6 mi 6.9
UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Orange City 15.1 mi 5.2
ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City 15.2 mi 5.5
MOC-Floyd Valley High School Orange City 15.1 mi 7.1
MOC-Floyd Valley Elementary School Orange City 15.0 mi 6.1
IRETON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Ireton 14.8 mi 7.1
SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton 15.2 mi 7.9
SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton 15.2 mi 6.7
Ireton Elementary School Ireton 14.9 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51031 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,978

Median Home Value

$208,900

Median Rent

$903/mo

Population

12,785

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

16.2 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

39

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gehlen Catholic School has a median household income of $74,978. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,900, with a median rent of $903/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% 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
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona, IA 6.7
ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny, IA 6.6
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Fort Madison, IA 6.6
ST ALBERT CATHOLIC Council Bluffs, IA 5.9
BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME Burlington, IA 5.7
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City, IA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gehlen Catholic School

What grades does Gehlen Catholic School serve?

Gehlen Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Gehlen Catholic School?

Gehlen Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Gehlen Catholic 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 Gehlen Catholic School rank in IA?

Gehlen Catholic School is ranked #49 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Gehlen Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gehlen Catholic School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Gehlen Catholic School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gehlen Catholic School has 83.7% math proficiency and 86.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gehlen Catholic School a private school?

Yes, Gehlen 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 Gehlen Catholic School a religious school?

Gehlen Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,017/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
488
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.9 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
PLYMOUTH
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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