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#91 of 157 private schools in IA

St Athanasius School

Elementary School

641 STEVENS ST, Jesup, IA 50648

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

92

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#61 of 103

About St Athanasius School

St. Athanasius School stands out as an exceptional elementary institution serving 92 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Jesup, Iowa. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 5th out of 157 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10.

The school offers an intimate learning environment with just 10 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an outstanding student-teacher ratio of 8.9 to 1. This low ratio allows for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students throughout their elementary and middle school years. St.

Athanasius School serves families in a stable community where the median household income reaches $90,000 and the poverty rate remains low at 6.8 percent. The area reflects typical rural Iowa values, with median home values around $195,400 and about 22 percent of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Stevens Street in Buchanan County, the school benefits from its rural setting in Jesup, a close-knit community of approximately 4,000 residents.

This environment provides students with the advantages of small-town familiarity while maintaining access to quality educational opportunities that consistently rank among Iowa's finest.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 92 students, St Athanasius 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 8.9:1, St Athanasius 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, St Athanasius 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Athanasius School compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Jesup, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
This School
vs
24.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
92
This School
vs
152
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.0
This School
vs
5.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94.6% vs 0%
St Athanasius School Jesup Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Athanasius School (this school) 6.0
Jesup Elementary School 7.8
Jesup Middle School 6.3
Perry #1 Elementary School
Triumph Elementary School 2.0
Prairie Grove Elementary School

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- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,192.6
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 10%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 92
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 90.9%
School
State
76.7%
ELA Proficiency 90.9%
School
State
69.1%

Based on 2 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 94.6%
Two or More 5.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

641 STEVENS ST, Jesup, IA 50648

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Athanasius School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dunkerton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Dunkerton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jesup Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Independence), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jesup, see our Jesup schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 0.5 mi 7.8
Jesup High School Jesup 0.5 mi 5.0
Jesup Middle School Jesup 0.5 mi 6.3
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 6.1 mi
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 7.5 mi 2.0
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 7.8 mi
Dunkerton Elementary Dunkerton 8.1 mi 8.4
Dunkerton High School Dunkerton 8.1 mi 6.4
Independence Junior Senior High School Independence 7.5 mi 6.4
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 10.4 mi
West Elementary School Independence 7.8 mi 6.0
East Elementary School Independence 7.9 mi 7.1
Early Childhood Center Independence 8.0 mi 5.4
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 10.5 mi
Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank 11.6 mi 5.1
ST JOHNS SCHOOL Independence 8.8 mi 6.2
Rural Elementary School #1 Fairbank 11.4 mi
INDEPENDENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Independence 9.0 mi
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 13.1 mi 6.4
Union High School La Porte City 13.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50648 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,081

Median Home Value

$210,800

Median Rent

$923/mo

Population

4,120

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

88.6%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Athanasius School has a median household income of $96,081. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,800, with a median rent of $923/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg, IA 5.9
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 6.2
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer, IA 6.2
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waverly, IA 5.8
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Boone, IA 5.8
Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan, IA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Athanasius School

What grades does St Athanasius School serve?

St Athanasius School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Athanasius School?

St Athanasius School has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Athanasius School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Athanasius School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Athanasius School rank in IA?

St Athanasius School is ranked #91 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Athanasius School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Athanasius School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 St Athanasius School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Athanasius School has 90.9% math proficiency and 90.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Athanasius School a private school?

Yes, St Athanasius 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 St Athanasius School a religious school?

St Athanasius School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
92
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.7 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
BUCHANAN
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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