Below Average
#150 of 157 private schools in IA
Notre Dame Catholic School
Elementary School
221 2ND AVE E, Cresco, IA 52136
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#150 of 157
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Notre Dame Catholic School
Elementary School in Cresco · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Crestwood High School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Crestwood Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Notre Dame Catholic School
Notre Dame Catholic School is a private elementary school in Cresco, IA. Notre Dame Catholic School serves approximately 158 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Notre Dame Catholic School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #150 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Notre Dame Catholic School show 82% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 158 students, Notre Dame Catholic School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Notre Dame Catholic School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Notre Dame Catholic School compares to the 3 public schools in Cresco, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Cresco
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Notre Dame Catholic School (this school) | 4.5 |
| Crestwood High School | 6.3 |
| Crestwood Elementary School | 8.6 |
| Cresco Early Childhood Development Center | 3.1 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
221 2ND AVE E, Cresco, IA 52136
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Notre Dame Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crestwood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Turkey Valley Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Jackson Junction), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Cline Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Decorah), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cresco, see our Cresco schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crestwood High School Cresco | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Crestwood Elementary School Cresco | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Cresco Early Childhood Development Center Cresco | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Protivin | 10.7 mi | 5.0 |
| FILLMORE CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Harmony | 13.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Fillmore Central ALP Harmony | 13.5 mi | — |
| Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction | 18.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Turkey Valley Jr-Sr High School Jackson Junction | 18.6 mi | 4.8 |
| VALLEY VIEW Mabel | 16.5 mi | — |
| FILLMORE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Preston | 21.0 mi | 6.7 |
| South Winneshiek High School Calmar | 18.2 mi | 8.2 |
| KINDERHAUS Decorah | 16.2 mi | — |
| NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah | 16.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah | 17.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Decorah Middle School Decorah | 17.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Decorah High School Decorah | 17.1 mi | 7.6 |
| John Cline Elementary School Decorah | 17.1 mi | 8.1 |
| CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah | 17.2 mi | — |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah | 17.5 mi | 6.0 |
| MABEL-CANTON SECONDARY Mabel | 19.8 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52136 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,932
Median Home Value
$153,300
Median Rent
$721/mo
Population
5,763
College Educated
20.2%
Homeownership
77.4%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
44
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing, IA | 4.5 |
| Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Elementary Exira, IA | 4.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 4.7 |
| Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein, IA | 4.7 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.3 |
| Carson Elementary Carson, IA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Notre Dame Catholic School
What grades does Notre Dame Catholic School serve?
Notre Dame Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Notre Dame Catholic School?
Notre Dame Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 158 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Notre Dame Catholic School?
The student-teacher ratio at Notre Dame Catholic School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Notre Dame Catholic School rank in IA?
Notre Dame Catholic School ranks #150 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Notre Dame Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?
Notre Dame Catholic School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Notre Dame Catholic School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Notre Dame Catholic School has 82% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
Is Notre Dame Catholic School a private school?
Yes, Notre Dame Catholic 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 Notre Dame Catholic School a religious school?
Notre Dame Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 158
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 171 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (563) 547-4513
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