Skip to main content

Average

#48 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 30% of private schools

Sanborn Christian School

Elementary School

405 W 2ND ST, Sanborn, IA 51248

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

106

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#32 of 103

About Sanborn Christian School

Sanborn Christian School serves 106 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of Sanborn, Iowa. This elementary school maintains an impressive 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio with 12 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships. The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 53rd out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 67th percentile among Iowa schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a close-knit environment. The surrounding community of ZIP code 51248 is home to 1,712 residents, with a median household income of $56,691 and median home values around $130,000. About 22% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.9%, indicating a stable, working-class community.

Families considering Sanborn Christian School will find a small, nurturing educational environment where students can receive individualized attention from dedicated teachers. The school's rural setting in O'Brien County provides a peaceful, community-focused atmosphere that many families value for their children's formative years.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 106 students, Sanborn Christian 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Sanborn Christian School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Sanborn Christian 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 Sanborn Christian School compares to the 1 public school in Sanborn, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
14.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
106
This School
vs
171
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
6.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 97.2% vs 0%
Black 2.8% vs 0%
Sanborn Christian School Sanborn Public Avg

All Schools in Sanborn

School Rating
Sanborn Christian School (this school) 6.8
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School 6.3

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)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 5%
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 106
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 88.3%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 97.7%
School
State
74.6%

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

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 97.2%
Black 2.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

405 W 2ND ST, Sanborn, IA 51248

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sanborn Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Hartley), which scores notably higher. Another option is MMCRU Marcus Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 26.1 miles away, in nearby Marcus), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sanborn, see our Sanborn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn 0.3 mi 6.3
South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar 6.6 mi 7.5
Sheldon Middle School Sheldon 8.5 mi 8.0
Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon 8.8 mi
Sheldon High School Sheldon 8.8 mi 7.4
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley 8.9 mi 7.4
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley 8.9 mi 9.2
East Elementary School Sheldon 9.0 mi 8.4
SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon 9.1 mi 7.0
ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon 9.8 mi 8.1
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 14.2 mi 6.5
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 14.4 mi 6.6
Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley 15.9 mi 7.7
Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley 15.9 mi 7.4
Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley 16.0 mi 6.2
George-Little Rock Elementary School Little Rock 21.1 mi 6.7
Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden 17.2 mi 7.6
George-Little Rock Senior High School George 20.1 mi 5.6
George-Little Rock Middle School George 20.1 mi 8.0
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 26.1 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51248 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,809

Median Home Value

$154,400

Median Rent

$869/mo

Population

1,643

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

77.4%

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sanborn Christian School has a median household income of $60,809. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,400, with a median rent of $869/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer, IA 6.8
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Boone, IA 6.8
Stratford Elementary Stratford, IA 6.7
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.0
KEOKUK CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Keokuk, IA 7.0
SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan, IA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sanborn Christian School

What grades does Sanborn Christian School serve?

Sanborn Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Sanborn Christian School?

Sanborn Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 106 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sanborn Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sanborn Christian School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sanborn Christian School rank in IA?

Sanborn Christian School is ranked #48 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Sanborn Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanborn Christian 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 Sanborn Christian School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanborn Christian School has 88.3% math proficiency and 97.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sanborn Christian School a private school?

Yes, Sanborn Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Other Religious affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sanborn Christian School a religious school?

Sanborn Christian School has a Other Religious religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
106
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Other Religious
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
O'BRIEN
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.