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Average

#64 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 40% of private schools

Ne Iowa Montessori School

Elementary School

418 W WATER ST, Decorah, IA 52101

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

6.3:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Decorah

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#42 of 103

About Ne Iowa Montessori School

NE Iowa Montessori School serves 37 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Decorah, Iowa, offering a distinctive Montessori education approach within the public school system. With just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.3:1, allowing for highly individualized attention and the hands-on, student-directed learning that defines Montessori education. The school earns a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 100th among Iowa's 157 elementary schools, placing it in the 37th percentile statewide.

This intimate learning environment provides young learners with the personalized guidance essential to the Montessori philosophy, where students progress at their own pace through carefully prepared learning materials. Families in the surrounding 52101 ZIP code area reflect a well-educated community, with 39% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $64,302. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%, with median home values around $237,800.

NE Iowa Montessori School is nestled in Decorah, a remote town setting that offers students a close-knit educational experience away from urban distractions.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 37 students, Ne Iowa Montessori 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 6.3:1, Ne Iowa Montessori 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, Ne Iowa Montessori 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 Ne Iowa Montessori School compares to the 4 public schools in Decorah, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.3:1
This School
vs
13.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
37
This School
vs
386
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.7% vs 0%
Ne Iowa Montessori School Decorah Public Avg

All Schools in Decorah

School Rating
Ne Iowa Montessori School (this school) 6.6
John Cline Elementary School 7.9
Decorah Middle School 8.0
Decorah High School 6.1
Carrie Lee Elementary 6.0

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)
A 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.3:1
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- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 10%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 37
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 94.6%
Hispanic 2.7%
Pacific Islander 2.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

418 W WATER ST, Decorah, IA 52101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ne Iowa Montessori School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MABEL-CANTON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.9/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Mabel), which scores notably higher. Another option is SPRING GROVE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Spring Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Campus Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Waukon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decorah, see our Decorah schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Decorah Middle School Decorah 0.3 mi 8.0
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah 0.3 mi 6.0
John Cline Elementary School Decorah 0.3 mi 7.9
Decorah High School Decorah 0.3 mi 6.1
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah 0.4 mi
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah 0.6 mi 6.0
KINDERHAUS Decorah 0.7 mi
South Winneshiek High School Calmar 9.4 mi 7.3
South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian 11.2 mi 7.9
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian 11.2 mi 7.0
MABEL-CANTON SECONDARY Mabel 14.9 mi 6.4
MABEL-CANTON ELEMENTARY Mabel 14.9 mi 8.9
VALLEY VIEW Mabel 16.0 mi
SPRING GROVE ELEMENTARY Spring Grove 19.2 mi 8.7
SPRING GROVE SECONDARY Spring Grove 19.2 mi 6.5
Waukon High School Waukon 15.1 mi 7.0
Waukon Middle School Waukon 15.2 mi 7.6
West Campus Elementary School Waukon 15.3 mi 7.8
East Campus Elementary School Waukon 15.6 mi 8.4
Postville Early Childhood/Ogden St Postville 18.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,046

Median Home Value

$249,500

Median Rent

$813/mo

Population

12,539

College Educated

39%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ne Iowa Montessori School has a median household income of $70,046. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,500, with a median rent of $813/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. 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
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina, IA 6.6
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 6.5
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer, IA 6.5
SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton, IA 6.7
DANBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danbury, IA 6.4
QUAD CITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Davenport, IA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ne Iowa Montessori School

What grades does Ne Iowa Montessori School serve?

Ne Iowa Montessori School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Ne Iowa Montessori School?

Ne Iowa Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ne Iowa Montessori School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ne Iowa Montessori School is 6.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Ne Iowa Montessori School rank in IA?

Ne Iowa Montessori School is ranked #64 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Ne Iowa Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ne Iowa Montessori School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Ne Iowa Montessori School a private school?

Yes, Ne Iowa Montessori 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 Ne Iowa Montessori School a religious school?

No, Ne Iowa Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (343/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
37
Gender Split
68% M / 32% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
WINNESHIEK
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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