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Average

#55 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 34% of private schools

Mater Dei School

Elementary School

3719 RIDGE AVE # PK-4, 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

153

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Sioux City

#5 of 7

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#37 of 103

About Mater Dei School

Mater Dei School is an elementary school located in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school houses 153 children within its walls. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 and 12 full-time equivalent teachers, Mater Dei provides a supportive learning environment that fosters individual attention.

While academic performance data is not available to provide specific test scores or rankings, the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 indicates there's room for growth in certain areas. Despite this, the focus remains on nurturing each student's development and providing a strong educational foundation during these crucial early years. Mater Dei School is situated in a small city setting within Sioux City.

The school community works closely together to create an inclusive and engaging atmosphere for both students and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 153 students, Mater Dei 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, Mater Dei 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

Beta

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

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
This School
vs
13.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
153
This School
vs
455
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 88.2% vs 0%
Black 3.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 2% vs 0%
Asian 1.3% vs 0%
Mater Dei School Sioux City Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Mater Dei School (this school) 6.7
Spalding Park Elementary 7.2
Morningside Elementary 4.9
Sunnyside Elementary School 6.4
Nodland Elementary School 4.7
Irving Preschool
Unity Elementary School 4.9
Irving Elementary School 6.2
Bryant Elementary School 4.8
Liberty Elementary School 6.9
Leeds Elementary School 6.1
Hunt Elementary School 7.1
Perry Creek Elementary School 5.5
Loess Hills Elementary 5.6
Clark Early Childhood Center 7.3
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- 4.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,424
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 22%
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 153
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

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 88.2%
Two or More 5.2%
Black 3.3%
Hispanic 2.0%
Asian 1.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3719 RIDGE AVE # PK-4, Sioux City, IA 51106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mater Dei School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Spalding Park Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HARNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby So Sioux City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sunnyside Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sioux City, see our Sioux City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Spalding Park Elementary Sioux City 0.3 mi 7.2
Morningside Elementary Sioux City 0.9 mi 4.9
Sunnyside Elementary School Sioux City 1.5 mi 6.4
MATER DEI SCHOOL NATIVITY CENTER Sioux City 1.8 mi 7.3
East Middle School Sioux City 1.7 mi 7.8
SIOUXLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sioux City 1.6 mi 8.6
East High School Sioux City 2.0 mi 4.9
Unity Elementary School Sioux City 2.3 mi 4.9
Nodland Elementary School Sioux City 2.2 mi 4.7
Irving Preschool Sioux City 2.2 mi
HARNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.1 mi 6.7
Irving Elementary School Sioux City 2.3 mi 6.2
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sioux City 2.4 mi
CARDINAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.5 mi 4.2
E N SWETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.6 mi 5.6
SOUTH SIOUX HIGH SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.8 mi 4.6
BOYS & GIRLS HOME FAMILY SERVICES Sioux City 3.1 mi 7.4
SOUTH SIOUX CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.8 mi 5.6
COVINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 2.7 mi 3.9
BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sioux City 3.0 mi 6.4

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 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
Carpenter Elementary School Monticello, IA 6.7
Keystone Elementary School Keystone, IA 6.8
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer, IA 6.8
SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn, IA 6.8
Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona, IA 6.6
ST MATTHEW SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mater Dei School

What grades does Mater Dei School serve?

Mater Dei School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Mater Dei School?

Mater Dei School has an enrollment of approximately 153 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mater Dei School is 12.8:1. 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 rank in IA?

Mater Dei School is ranked #55 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Mater Dei School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mater Dei School has a composite rating of 6.7 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.

Is Mater Dei School a private school?

Yes, Mater Dei School 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 a religious school?

Mater Dei School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,903/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
153
Gender Split
67% M / 33% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
178 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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