Skip to main content

Below Average

#150 of 157 private schools in IA

Notre Dame Catholic School

Elementary School

221 2ND AVE E, Cresco, IA 52136

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

158

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#99 of 103

About Notre Dame Catholic School

NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL is a small elementary school located in the remote town of Cresco, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 158 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers. While test score data is not available, the MySchoolScout rating for Notre Dame Catholic School stands at 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the 19th percentile among Iowa schools.

The school's small size and close-knit community foster a supportive learning environment where students receive individualized attention from their teachers. With room for academic growth, the focus is on student development and nurturing a strong sense of community. Located in Cresco, Notre Dame Catholic School benefits from its rural setting, providing students with unique opportunities to connect with nature and local traditions.

Notre Dame Catholic School sits at 221 2nd Ave E in the heart of Cresco, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for students and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 158 students, Notre Dame Catholic 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, Notre Dame Catholic 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 Notre Dame Catholic School compares to the 3 public schools in Cresco, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
This School
vs
15.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
158
This School
vs
344
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.5
This School
vs
6.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 98.1% vs 0%
Black 1.9% vs 0%
Notre Dame Catholic School Cresco Public Avg

All Schools in Cresco

School Rating
Notre Dame Catholic School (this school) 4.5
Crestwood High School 6.3
Crestwood Elementary School 8.4
Cresco Early Childhood Development Center 5.6

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)
C+ 3.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 13.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,197
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
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 158
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 82.0%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 85.3%
School
State
75.5%

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

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Hispanic 98.1%
Black 1.9%

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. Turkey Valley Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Jackson Junction), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crestwood Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Cline Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 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 8.4
Cresco Early Childhood Development Center Cresco 0.7 mi 5.6
TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Protivin 10.7 mi 5.0
FILLMORE CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Harmony 13.5 mi 5.7
Fillmore Central ALP Harmony 13.5 mi
Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction 18.6 mi 9.4
Turkey Valley Jr-Sr High School Jackson Junction 18.6 mi 4.9
VALLEY VIEW Mabel 16.5 mi
FILLMORE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Preston 21.0 mi 5.8
South Winneshiek High School Calmar 18.2 mi 7.3
KINDERHAUS Decorah 16.2 mi
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah 16.9 mi 6.6
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah 17.1 mi 6.0
Decorah Middle School Decorah 17.1 mi 8.0
Decorah High School Decorah 17.1 mi 6.1
John Cline Elementary School Decorah 17.1 mi 7.9
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah 17.2 mi
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah 17.5 mi 6.0
MABEL-CANTON SECONDARY Mabel 19.8 mi 6.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Notre Dame Catholic School has a median household income of $66,932. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $721/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Andrew Elementary School Andrew, IA 4.6
Hills Elementary School Hills, IA 4.6
Earlville Elementary School Earlville, IA 4.3
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 4.3
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein, IA 4.3
Tri-County Elementary School Thornburg, IA 4.7

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 is ranked #150 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Notre Dame Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Notre Dame Catholic School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Notre Dame Catholic School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Notre Dame Catholic School has 82.0% math proficiency and 85.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Low (231/100K)

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

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
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

Related 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.