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
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
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher
6.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Ne Iowa Montessori School compares to the 4 public schools in Decorah, IA
Student Demographics
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.
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
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (564) 382-6491
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.