Average
#85 of 157 private schools in IA
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School
Elementary School
1311 E 18TH ST, Spencer, IA 51301
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Spencer
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#59 of 103
About Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School serves 92 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in Spencer, Iowa. This elementary school maintains a notably small class environment with an 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio and eight full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 69th out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 57th percentile among Iowa schools.
This middle-tier performance suggests the school provides steady educational foundations for its young learners as they progress through their elementary years. Located on East 18th Street, the school draws families from a community where the median household income is $59,987 and median home values reach $160,600. About 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 12.6%, indicating a working-class community with mixed economic circumstances.
The school's compact size fosters a close-knit learning environment where teachers can focus on individual student needs and development. Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School operates in Spencer's rural setting near town, providing students with a quieter educational atmosphere while maintaining access to community resources and family-friendly neighborhoods.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 92 students, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran 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.
As a private school, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran 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.
Located in a rural area, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School compares to the 5 public schools in Spencer, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Spencer
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School (this school) | 6.2 |
| Spencer Middle School | 5.9 |
| Fairview Park Elementary | 3.9 |
| Spencer High School | 5.8 |
| Johnson Elementary | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School | 5.2 |
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 9 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1311 E 18TH ST, Spencer, IA 51301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. Another option is Okoboji Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clay Central-Everly Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Royal), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer Middle School Spencer | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Spencer High School Spencer | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Okoboji Elementary School Milford | 11.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 11.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Okoboji High School Milford | 11.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal | 10.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril | 12.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven | 11.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven | 11.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake | 17.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake | 17.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 17.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids | 19.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids | 19.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids | 19.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 22.3 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,175
Median Home Value
$180,400
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
12,402
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
69.5%
Avg Commute
17.3 min
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has a median household income of $61,175. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.2 |
| Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal, IA | 6.4 |
| NEWTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton, IA | 6.4 |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup, IA | 6.0 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames, IA | 6.5 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg, IA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School
What grades does Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School serve?
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School?
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School rank in IA?
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School is ranked #85 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has a composite rating of 6.2 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.
What are the test scores at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has 73.8% math proficiency and 77.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School a religious school?
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,052/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spencer). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 92
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- CLAY
- Phone
- (712) 262-8237
- 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.
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