Very Good
#17 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 10% of private schools
Spalding Catholic School
Elementary School
908 6TH AVE, Alton, IA 51003
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher
5.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher
5.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Alton
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#9 of 103
About Spalding Catholic School
Spalding Catholic School serves 34 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Alton, Iowa, offering an intimate learning environment with a remarkable 5.4:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, this small elementary school provides individualized attention that larger schools simply cannot match. The school earns a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 80th out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 50th percentile among Iowa schools.
This performance reflects steady academic foundations in a close-knit educational setting where every student is known personally by their teachers. Located in a stable community where the median household income reaches $85,536 and home values average $215,800, the school serves families in an area with very low poverty rates at just 1.9%. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, creating a supportive educational environment for students.
The small class sizes allow teachers to adapt instruction to individual learning styles and provide extra support where needed. Students benefit from the family-like atmosphere where older students often mentor younger ones, fostering leadership skills and community bonds. Spalding Catholic School sits in the heart of this close-knit Sioux County town of 1,761 residents, where education remains a community priority.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 34 students, Spalding Catholic 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 5.4:1, Spalding Catholic 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, Spalding Catholic 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
- $660
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $839
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.27x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 0%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $770,261
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 34 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Spalding Catholic School compares to the 1 public school in Alton, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Alton
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Spalding Catholic School (this school) | 7.9 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School | 7.8 |
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
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
908 6TH AVE, Alton, IA 51003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spalding Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kinsey Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Sioux Center), with a very similar rating. Another option is Remsen-Union Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Remsen), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sioux Center Intermediate School (rated 7.7/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Sioux Center), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Alton, see our Alton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton | 0.0 mi | 6.7 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton | 0.2 mi | 7.8 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Elementary School Orange City | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley High School Orange City | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Orange City | 3.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Kinsey Elementary School Sioux Center | 9.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Sioux Center High School Sioux Center | 10.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Sioux Center Middle School Sioux Center | 10.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Sioux Center Intermediate School Sioux Center | 10.4 mi | 7.7 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Remsen | 12.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen | 12.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen | 12.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden | 14.0 mi | 7.6 |
| HULL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hull | 15.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Boyden-Hull High School Hull | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| WESTERN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hull | 15.4 mi | 6.1 |
| HULL PROTESTANT REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hull | 15.3 mi | 3.8 |
| GEHLEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Le Mars | 15.2 mi | 6.8 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hull | 15.8 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,909
Median Home Value
$226,300
Median Rent
$750/mo
Population
1,815
College Educated
26.6%
Homeownership
88%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Median Age
34.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spalding Catholic School has a median household income of $85,909. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,300, with a median rent of $750/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon, IA | 8.1 |
| The Cougars Den Ackley, IA | 7.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville, IA | 7.4 |
| Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode, IA | 8.9 |
| SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton, IA | 6.7 |
| NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah, IA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spalding Catholic School
What grades does Spalding Catholic School serve?
Spalding Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Spalding Catholic School?
Spalding Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spalding Catholic School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spalding Catholic School is 5.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Spalding Catholic School rank in IA?
Spalding Catholic School is ranked #17 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Spalding Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spalding Catholic 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 Spalding Catholic School a private school?
Yes, Spalding Catholic 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 Spalding Catholic School a religious school?
Spalding Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 34
- Gender Split
- 97% M / 3% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- SIOUX
- Phone
- (712) 756-4532
- 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.
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