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Very Good

#15 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 9% of private schools

Scattergood Friends School

High School

1951 DELTA AVE, West Branch, IA 52358

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

45

Student-Teacher

3.4:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa high schools

#2 of 14

About Scattergood Friends School

Scattergood Friends School serves grades 6-12 with just 45 students in West Branch, Iowa, creating an intimate educational environment with an exceptional 3.4:1 student-teacher ratio. This small regular public school employs 13 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for every student. The school earns a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #41 out of 157 high schools statewide, placing it in the 74th percentile among Iowa schools.

This strong performance reflects the benefits of the school's remarkably small class sizes and individualized instruction approach. Students at Scattergood Friends School come from a stable community where the median household income reaches $76,398 and median home values sit at $210,000. The surrounding area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.4%, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating a community that values education.

The school's unique size allows for close relationships between students and faculty, fostering a supportive learning environment where individual needs can be carefully addressed. Located in rural Cedar County, Scattergood Friends School sits in the peaceful countryside of eastern Iowa, offering students a quiet setting conducive to focused learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 45 students, Scattergood Friends 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 3.4:1, Scattergood Friends 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, Scattergood Friends 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$6,199
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$7,159
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.15x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
0%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$6.1M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 45 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Scattergood Friends School compares to the 3 public schools in West Branch, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
3.4:1
This School
vs
14:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
45
This School
vs
288
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.9
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 84.4% vs 0%
Asian 11.1% vs 0%
Black 4.4% vs 0%
Scattergood Friends School West Branch Public Avg

All Schools in West Branch

School Rating
Scattergood Friends School (this school) 7.9
Hoover Elementary School 6.7
West Branch High School 6.4
West Branch Middle School 5.4

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+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 9 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,674
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 27%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 45
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

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 84.4%
Asian 11.1%
Black 4.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1951 DELTA AVE, West Branch, IA 52358

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Scattergood Friends School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Iowa City High School (rated 6.7/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), a more accessible option. Another option is West Branch High School (rated 6.4/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School (rated 5.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Branch, see our West Branch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hoover Elementary School West Branch 2.1 mi 6.7
West Branch Middle School West Branch 2.8 mi 5.4
West Branch High School West Branch 2.8 mi 6.4
West Liberty High School West Liberty 6.3 mi 3.9
West Liberty Middle School West Liberty 6.6 mi 5.0
Early Childhood Center West Liberty 6.6 mi 6.7
West Liberty Elementary School West Liberty 6.6 mi 4.0
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City 8.2 mi 7.6
Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City 9.2 mi 4.8
Robert Lucas Elementary School Iowa City 9.4 mi 5.3
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City 9.5 mi 7.1
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City 9.9 mi 5.5
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 10.0 mi 6.5
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 10.0 mi 6.4
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City 10.1 mi 5.1
Iowa City High School Iowa City 10.1 mi 6.7
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 10.4 mi 6.1
ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City 10.4 mi 5.4
Tipton Middle School Tipton 11.5 mi 6.4
Tipton Elementary School Tipton 11.6 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52358 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,250

Median Home Value

$235,900

Median Rent

$1,010/mo

Population

3,752

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

82.8%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Scattergood Friends School has a median household income of $81,250. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,900, with a median rent of $1,010/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Hamburg Charter High Schools Hamburg, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Scattergood Friends School

What grades does Scattergood Friends School serve?

Scattergood Friends School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Scattergood Friends School?

Scattergood Friends School has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Scattergood Friends School?

The student-teacher ratio at Scattergood Friends School is 3.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Scattergood Friends School rank in IA?

Scattergood Friends School is ranked #15 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Scattergood Friends School's MySchoolScout rating?

Scattergood Friends School has a composite rating of 7.9 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.

Is Scattergood Friends School a private school?

Yes, Scattergood Friends School is a private coeducational school with a Friends (Quaker) affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Scattergood Friends School a religious school?

Scattergood Friends School has a Friends (Quaker) religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (422/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
45
Gender Split
47% M / 53% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Friends (Quaker)
School Day
9 hours
Days Per Year
186 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
CEDAR
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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