Average
#85 of 157 private schools in IA
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School
Elementary School
1311 E 18TH ST, Spencer, IA 51301
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#85 of 157
In Spencer
#2 of 2
public schools
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Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School
Elementary School in Spencer · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Spencer Middle School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fairview Park Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School is a private elementary school in Spencer, IA. Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School serves approximately 92 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #85 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School show 74% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 92 students, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
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 | 7.8 |
| Fairview Park Elementary | 4.4 |
| Spencer High School | 6.4 |
| Johnson Elementary | 7.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School | 5.8 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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. Johnson Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spirit Lake Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Spirit Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sioux Central Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 19.6 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), 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 | 7.8 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Spencer High School Spencer | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Okoboji Elementary School Milford | 11.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 11.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Okoboji High School Milford | 11.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal | 10.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril | 12.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven | 11.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven | 11.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake | 17.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake | 17.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 17.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids | 19.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids | 19.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids | 19.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 22.3 mi | 8.1 |
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
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 |
| McGregor Intermediate School Mcgregor, 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 ranks #85 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School has 74% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (712) 262-8237
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