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
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
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Sheldon Christian School compares to the 4 public schools in Sheldon, IA
Student Demographics
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.
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 19 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (712) 324-2429
- 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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