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Average

#46 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 29% of private schools

Sacred Heart School

Elementary School

1111 4TH AVE W, Spencer, IA 51301

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

143

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Spencer

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#30 of 103

About Sacred Heart School

Sacred Heart School serves 143 students in kindergarten through 6th grade in Spencer, Iowa, offering an intimate learning environment with a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio and 14 dedicated educators. This elementary school has earned recognition as one of Iowa's stronger performing schools, ranking #36 out of 157 elementary schools statewide and earning a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, placing it in the 78th percentile. The school's small class sizes allow teachers to provide personalized attention to each student, fostering close relationships and individualized learning support.

As a regular public school, Sacred Heart School serves families throughout the Spencer community, providing a neighborhood-centered educational experience during these foundational academic years. The surrounding Spencer community reflects stable, middle-class values with a median household income of $59,987 and median home values around $160,600. About 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 12.6%.

This economic stability provides a supportive backdrop for student learning and family engagement. Sacred Heart School operates in Spencer's remote town setting, where the close-knit community of approximately 12,300 residents creates an environment where students, families, and educators can form meaningful connections that extend well beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 143 students, Sacred Heart 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, Sacred Heart 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 Sacred Heart School compares to the 5 public schools in Spencer, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
This School
vs
14.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
143
This School
vs
432
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 93.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.9% vs 0%
Sacred Heart School Spencer Public Avg

All Schools in Spencer

School Rating
Sacred Heart School (this school) 6.8
Johnson Elementary 7.5
Fairview Park Elementary 3.9
Spencer High School 5.8
Spencer Middle School 5.9
Lincoln Elementary School 5.2

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)
B+ 6.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,274.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 12%
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 143
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 87.5%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 86.1%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 9 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 93.7%
Hispanic 4.9%
Two or More 1.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1111 4TH AVE W, Spencer, IA 51301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sacred Heart School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Hartley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Okoboji Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Johnson Elementary Spencer 0.3 mi 7.5
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 0.8 mi 3.9
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 1.3 mi 5.2
Spencer High School Spencer 1.2 mi 5.8
Spencer Middle School Spencer 1.2 mi 5.9
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 1.5 mi 6.2
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 9.0 mi 8.1
Okoboji Middle School Milford 11.9 mi 7.8
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 11.9 mi 8.6
Okoboji High School Milford 12.1 mi 5.2
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 14.0 mi 9.1
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 12.7 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 12.7 mi 6.3
Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake 18.4 mi 7.2
Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake 18.4 mi 6.3
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake 18.6 mi 4.1
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 19.0 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 19.0 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 19.0 mi 6.8
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley 16.8 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,175

Median Home Value

$180,400

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

12,402

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

17.3 min

Poverty Rate

13%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sacred Heart School has a median household income of $61,175. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. 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
Keystone Elementary School Keystone, IA 6.8
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Boone, IA 6.8
SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn, IA 6.8
MATER DEI SCHOOL Sioux City, IA 6.7
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY West Point, IA 6.9
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sacred Heart School

What grades does Sacred Heart School serve?

Sacred Heart School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Sacred Heart School?

Sacred Heart School has an enrollment of approximately 143 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sacred Heart School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sacred Heart School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sacred Heart School rank in IA?

Sacred Heart School is ranked #46 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Sacred Heart School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sacred Heart School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Sacred Heart School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sacred Heart School has 87.5% math proficiency and 86.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sacred Heart School a private school?

Yes, Sacred Heart 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 Sacred Heart School a religious school?

Sacred Heart School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,052/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
143
Gender Split
49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
CLAY
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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