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Average

#85 of 157 private schools in IA

Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School

Elementary School

1311 E 18TH ST, Spencer, IA 51301

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School compares to the 5 public schools in Spencer, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
This School
vs
14.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
92
This School
vs
432
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 91.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.3% vs 0%
Black 3.3% vs 0%
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School Spencer Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 16%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 92
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 73.8%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 77.9%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 9 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 91.3%
Hispanic 4.3%
Black 3.3%
Pacific Islander 1.1%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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