Very Good
#14 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 8% of private schools
Seton Catholic Elementary School
Elementary School
117 E 4TH ST, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
8.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#14 of 157
In Ottumwa
#1 of 2
public schools
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Seton Catholic Elementary School
Elementary School in Ottumwa · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ottumwa High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wilson Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Seton Catholic Elementary School
Seton Catholic Elementary School is a private elementary school in Ottumwa, IA. Seton Catholic Elementary School serves approximately 59 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 8.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Seton Catholic Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #14 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Seton Catholic Elementary School show 79% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 59 students, Seton Catholic Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 8.3:1 students to teachers, Seton Catholic Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Seton Catholic Elementary School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Seton Catholic Elementary School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Ottumwa, IA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Seton Catholic Elementary School (this school) | 7.9 |
| Wilson Elementary School | 4.8 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning | 1.6 |
| James Elementary School | 5.0 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School | 5.3 |
| Douma Elementary School | 5.3 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center | 2.6 |
| Liberty Elementary School | 3.2 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School | 6.8 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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
117 E 4TH ST, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Seton Catholic Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fremont Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Fremont), with a comparable rating. Another option is Blakesburg Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Blakesburg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Eisenhower Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ottumwa, see our Ottumwa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 0.8 mi | — |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 0.9 mi | 1.6 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | 2.6 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 9.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Fremont Elementary Fremont | 13.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg | 12.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High Eddyville | 14.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 18.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Davis County Middle School Bloomfield | 18.2 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,091
Median Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$955/mo
Population
30,341
College Educated
20.1%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
18.6 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
39.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Washington, IA | 8.0 |
| AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg Wellsburg, IA | 8.1 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge, IA | 8.1 |
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon, IA | 8.1 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Perry, IA | 7.6 |
| EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg, IA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Seton Catholic Elementary School
What grades does Seton Catholic Elementary School serve?
Seton Catholic Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Seton Catholic Elementary School?
Seton Catholic Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Seton Catholic Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Seton Catholic Elementary School is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Seton Catholic Elementary School rank in IA?
Seton Catholic Elementary School ranks #14 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Seton Catholic Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Seton Catholic Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Seton Catholic Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Seton Catholic Elementary School has 79% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
Is Seton Catholic Elementary School a private school?
Yes, Seton Catholic Elementary 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 Seton Catholic Elementary School a religious school?
Seton Catholic Elementary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 59
- Gender Split
- 46% M / 54% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7.1 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Wapello County
- Phone
- (641) 682-8826
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