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Very Good

#42 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 26% of private schools

Sheldon Christian School

Elementary School

1425 E 9TH ST, Sheldon, IA 51201

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Sheldon

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#27 of 103

About Sheldon Christian School

Sheldon Christian School serves 100 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Sheldon, Iowa, earning a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This elementary school ranks 57th out of 157 schools statewide, placing it in the 64th percentile among Iowa schools. With just 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.8 to 1, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students.

This intimate learning environment enables teachers to closely monitor each child's progress and adapt instruction to individual needs. The school operates as a regular public school despite its name, serving families in the O'Brien County community. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, working-class environment with a median household income of $69,041 and median home values around $165,900.

About 21% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.9%. Located at 1425 E 9th Street, Sheldon Christian School sits in a remote town setting where the close-knit community of approximately 6,300 residents values education and supports local schools. This rural Iowa location provides students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining strong community connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, Sheldon 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, Sheldon 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, Sheldon 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$11,199
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$12,791
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.14x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
78%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$3.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 100 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Sheldon Christian School compares to the 4 public schools in Sheldon, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
14.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
100
This School
vs
290
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.0
This School
vs
7.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 89% vs 0%
Black 5% vs 0%
Hispanic 5% vs 0%
Asian 1% vs 0%
Sheldon Christian School Sheldon Public Avg

All Schools in Sheldon

School Rating
Sheldon Christian School (this school) 7.0
East Elementary School 8.4
Sheldon High School 7.4
Little Orabs Preschool
Sheldon Middle School 8.0

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)
B- 5.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,210.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 20%
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 100
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 46.2%
School
State
72.4%
ELA Proficiency 66.8%
School
State
75.0%

Based on 19 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 89.0%
Black 5.0%
Hispanic 5.0%
Asian 1.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1425 E 9TH ST, Sheldon, IA 51201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sheldon Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Alton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sheldon, see our Sheldon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.3 mi
School Distance Rating
East Elementary School Sheldon 0.3 mi 8.4
Sheldon High School Sheldon 0.5 mi 7.4
Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon 0.6 mi
Sheldon Middle School Sheldon 0.7 mi 8.0
ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon 0.7 mi 8.1
Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden 8.2 mi 7.6
SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn 9.1 mi 6.8
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn 9.3 mi 6.3
George-Little Rock Senior High School George 13.6 mi 5.6
George-Little Rock Middle School George 13.6 mi 8.0
South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar 12.4 mi 7.5
Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley 16.4 mi 6.2
Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley 16.5 mi 7.7
Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley 16.5 mi 7.4
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 15.9 mi 6.5
MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton 15.7 mi 7.8
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 16.1 mi 6.6
SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton 15.9 mi 7.9
SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton 15.9 mi 6.7
George-Little Rock Elementary School Little Rock 18.3 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,592

Median Home Value

$182,500

Median Rent

$842/mo

Population

6,226

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

16.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sheldon Christian School has a median household income of $70,592. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,500, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.0
KEOKUK CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Keokuk, IA 7.0
SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan, IA 7.0
Readlyn Elementary School Readlyn, IA 7.1
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Marion, IA 7.1
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City, IA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sheldon Christian School

What grades does Sheldon Christian School serve?

Sheldon Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sheldon Christian School?

Sheldon Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Sheldon 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 Sheldon Christian School rank in IA?

Sheldon Christian School is ranked #42 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Sheldon Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sheldon Christian School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Sheldon Christian School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sheldon Christian School has 46.2% math proficiency and 66.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sheldon Christian School a private school?

Yes, Sheldon Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sheldon Christian School a religious school?

Sheldon Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (982/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
100
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Remote Town
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

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