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Very Good

#30 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 19% of private schools

Mater Dei School Nativity Center

Middle School

4243 NATALIA WAY, Sioux City, IA 51106

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 17 schools in Sioux City. Learn more

Enrollment

131

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

7.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Sioux City

#4 of 7

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#3 of 5

About Mater Dei School Nativity Center

Mater Dei School Nativity Center serves 131 middle school students in grades 5-8 in Sioux City, Iowa. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes that can benefit student learning. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks 95th among 157 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 40th percentile in Iowa.

This regular public school provides a focused middle school experience during these crucial transitional years between elementary and high school. Located on Natalia Way in the 51106 ZIP code area, the school sits in a stable community where the median household income is $74,750 and median home value is $175,200. About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 13.4%.

The surrounding neighborhood serves a population of 27,652 residents. Mater Dei School Nativity Center operates in Sioux City's small city environment, offering students the advantages of a close-knit educational community while being part of Iowa's fourth-largest city along the Missouri River.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 131 students, Mater Dei School Nativity Center 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, Mater Dei School Nativity Center 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

Beta

How Mater Dei School Nativity Center compares to 15 public schools serving similar grades in Sioux City, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
This School
vs
14.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
131
This School
vs
631
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.3
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 87.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.9% vs 0%
Asian 1.5% vs 0%
Black 0.8% vs 0%
Mater Dei School Nativity Center Sioux City Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Mater Dei School Nativity Center (this school) 7.3
Morningside Elementary 4.9
East Middle School 7.8
Sunnyside Elementary School 6.4
Spalding Park Elementary 7.2
Irving Elementary School 6.2
Unity Elementary School 4.9
Liberty Elementary School 6.9
Bryant Elementary School 4.8
Hunt Elementary School 7.1
Leeds Elementary School 6.1
Loess Hills Elementary 5.6
Perry Creek Elementary School 5.5
West Middle School 6.0
North Middle School 6.5
Riverside Elementary School 6.9

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+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.1:1
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+ 6.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 23%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 131
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 85.2%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 91.8%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 87.8%
Hispanic 6.9%
Two or More 3.1%
Asian 1.5%
Black 0.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

4243 NATALIA WAY, Sioux City, IA 51106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mater Dei School Nativity Center may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. East Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sergeant Bluff-Luton Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Sergeant Bluff), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SOUTH SIOUX CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby So Sioux City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sioux City, see our Sioux City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Nodland Elementary School Sioux City 0.7 mi 4.7
East High School Sioux City 0.7 mi 4.9
Morningside Elementary Sioux City 0.9 mi 4.9
Sunnyside Elementary School Sioux City 1.0 mi 6.4
East Middle School Sioux City 1.0 mi 7.8
MATER DEI SCHOOL Sioux City 1.8 mi 6.7
Spalding Park Elementary Sioux City 2.0 mi 7.2
SIOUXLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sioux City 2.0 mi 8.6
CARDINAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.6 mi 4.2
SOUTH SIOUX CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.7 mi 5.6
SOUTH SIOUX HIGH SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.7 mi 4.6
HARNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.9 mi 6.7
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Primary School Sergeant Bluff 3.7 mi 7.1
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Elementary School Sergeant Bluff 3.8 mi 7.7
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Middle School Sergeant Bluff 3.9 mi 6.4
E N SWETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 3.0 mi 5.6
Sergeant Bluff-Luton Senior High School Sergeant Bluff 4.0 mi 6.0
Unity Elementary School Sioux City 4.1 mi 4.9
COVINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 3.2 mi 3.9
Irving Preschool Sioux City 3.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,486

Median Home Value

$186,300

Median Rent

$1,080/mo

Population

28,381

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mater Dei School Nativity Center has a median household income of $74,486. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $186,300, with a median rent of $1,080/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. 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
Madrid Junior High School Madrid, IA 7.3
Akron Westfield Middle School Akron, IA 7.2
Clayton Ridge Middle School Guttenberg, IA 7.2
Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen, IA 7.2
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha, IA 7.4
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo, IA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mater Dei School Nativity Center

What grades does Mater Dei School Nativity Center serve?

Mater Dei School Nativity Center serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Mater Dei School Nativity Center?

Mater Dei School Nativity Center has an enrollment of approximately 131 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mater Dei School Nativity Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Mater Dei School Nativity Center is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mater Dei School Nativity Center rank in IA?

Mater Dei School Nativity Center is ranked #30 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Mater Dei School Nativity Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Mater Dei School Nativity Center has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Mater Dei School Nativity Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mater Dei School Nativity Center has 85.2% math proficiency and 91.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mater Dei School Nativity Center a private school?

Yes, Mater Dei School Nativity Center 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 Mater Dei School Nativity Center a religious school?

Mater Dei School Nativity Center has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,903/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sioux City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
131
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
WOODBURY
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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