Below Average
#150 of 157 private schools in IA
Notre Dame Catholic School
Elementary School
221 2ND AVE E, Cresco, IA 52136
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
Enrollment
158
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
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
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 | 8.4 |
| 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.
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. 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (563) 547-4513
- 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
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