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
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
Enrollment
143
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Sacred Heart School compares to the 5 public schools in Spencer, IA
Student Demographics
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.
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 9 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (712) 262-6428
- 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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