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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Spalding Catholic School compares to the 1 public school in Alton, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.4:1
This School
vs
14.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
34
This School
vs
320
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.9
This School
vs
7.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 76.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 23.5% vs 0%
Spalding Catholic School Alton Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.4:1
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 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,440
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 36%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.9 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 34
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 76.5%
Hispanic 23.5%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
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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