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
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
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Gehlen Catholic School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Le Mars, IA
Student Demographics
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.
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 12 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (712) 546-4181
- 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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