Excellent
#1 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 1% of private schools
Maharishi School
School
804 DR ROBERT KEITH WALLACE DR, Fairfield, IA 52556
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
4.6:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
4.6:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1 of 35
About Maharishi School
Maharishi School serves 113 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Fairfield, Iowa, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.6 to 1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive highly individualized attention throughout their academic journey. The school earns a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #98 out of 157 schools statewide, placing it in the 38th percentile among Iowa schools.
This regular public school provides a comprehensive K-12 experience in a small-school setting where teachers can develop strong relationships with students and families. The surrounding community in ZIP code 52556 shows a commitment to education, with 45% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The area has a median household income of $49,840 and median home values of $149,700, with a poverty rate of 14.7% among the 11,647 residents.
Maharishi School's strength lies in its ability to provide personalized education in an environment where every student is known and supported. The school operates in Fairfield's remote town setting, offering families a close-knit educational community away from urban distractions.
What's said publicly about Maharishi School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 113 students, Maharishi 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 4.6:1, Maharishi School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Maharishi 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 Maharishi School compares to the 4 public schools in Fairfield, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Fairfield
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Maharishi School (this school) | 9.4 |
| Fairfield High School | 5.2 |
| Washington Elementary | 6.9 |
| Pence Elementary | 6.1 |
| Fairfield Middle School | 7.4 |
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 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
804 DR ROBERT KEITH WALLACE DR, Fairfield, IA 52556
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Maharishi School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Salem Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), a more accessible option. Another option is Van Buren County Community Middle & High School (rated 8.0/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Keosauqua), a more accessible option. Additionally, Sigourney Jr-Sr High Sch (rated 7.6/10, 24.7 miles away, in nearby Sigourney), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield High School Fairfield | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Washington Elementary Fairfield | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Pence Elementary Fairfield | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| SINGING CEDARS SCHOOL Fairfield | 1.3 mi | — |
| Fairfield Middle School Fairfield | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua | 14.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 7.5 |
| PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood | 14.0 mi | — |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 14.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 14.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 14.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Van Buren County Community Middle & High School Keosauqua | 19.7 mi | 8.0 |
| WACO High School Wayland | 18.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Keota Elementary School Keota | 24.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Keota High School Keota | 24.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center Keosauqua | 23.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Washington High School Washington | 23.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant | 21.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Sigourney Jr-Sr High Sch Sigourney | 24.7 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52556 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,528
Median Home Value
$168,200
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
11,586
College Educated
46.4%
Homeownership
60.9%
Avg Commute
12.9 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Maharishi School has a median household income of $55,528. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Maharishi School
What grades does Maharishi School serve?
Maharishi School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Maharishi School?
Maharishi School has an enrollment of approximately 113 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Maharishi School?
The student-teacher ratio at Maharishi School is 4.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Maharishi School rank in IA?
Maharishi School is ranked #1 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Maharishi School's MySchoolScout rating?
Maharishi School has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Maharishi School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Maharishi School has 80.9% math proficiency and 85.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Maharishi School a private school?
Yes, Maharishi School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Maharishi School a religious school?
No, Maharishi School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 113
- Gender Split
- 47% M / 53% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- JEFFERSON
- Phone
- (641) 472-9400
- 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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