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Average

#92 of 157 private schools in IA

St Benedict School

Elementary School

402 RURAL AVE, Decorah, IA 52101

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

138

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Decorah

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#62 of 103

About St Benedict School

St Benedict School serves 138 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade in Decorah, Iowa, earning recognition as the 9th highest-ranked elementary school in the state out of 157 schools. This puts the school in the 95th percentile statewide, reflecting strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. The school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.8 to 1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and small class sizes that support individual student growth.

As a regular public school, St Benedict provides educational opportunities for children in their formative years within a close-knit learning environment. The school draws from a community where 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused atmosphere that supports student achievement. The surrounding area has a median household income of $64,302 and a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%, indicating economic stability that often correlates with educational resources and family support for learning.

St Benedict School operates in the remote town setting of Decorah, part of Winneshiek County, where the ZIP code population of nearly 13,000 creates a tight-knit community atmosphere that values education and student success.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 138 students, St Benedict 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, St Benedict 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 Benedict 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 Benedict School compares to the 4 public schools in Decorah, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
13.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
138
This School
vs
386
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.0
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.9% vs 0%
Asian 0.7% vs 0%
St Benedict School Decorah Public Avg

All Schools in Decorah

School Rating
St Benedict School (this school) 6.0
Carrie Lee Elementary 6.0
Decorah Middle School 8.0
John Cline Elementary School 7.9
Decorah High School 6.1

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)
C- 2.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.3 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,115.1
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 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)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 138
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 84.4%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 94.0%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 94.9%
Hispanic 2.9%
Two or More 1.4%
Asian 0.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

402 RURAL AVE, Decorah, IA 52101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Benedict School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MABEL-CANTON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.9/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Mabel), which scores notably higher. Another option is SPRING GROVE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Spring Grove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Cline Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decorah, see our Decorah schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.1 mi
School Distance Rating
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah 0.3 mi
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah 0.4 mi 6.0
Decorah Middle School Decorah 0.4 mi 8.0
John Cline Elementary School Decorah 0.6 mi 7.9
Decorah High School Decorah 0.7 mi 6.1
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah 0.6 mi 6.6
KINDERHAUS Decorah 1.3 mi
South Winneshiek High School Calmar 9.1 mi 7.3
South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian 10.7 mi 7.9
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian 10.7 mi 7.0
MABEL-CANTON SECONDARY Mabel 15.4 mi 6.4
MABEL-CANTON ELEMENTARY Mabel 15.4 mi 8.9
VALLEY VIEW Mabel 16.6 mi
Waukon High School Waukon 14.7 mi 7.0
Waukon Middle School Waukon 14.7 mi 7.6
West Campus Elementary School Waukon 14.8 mi 7.8
SPRING GROVE ELEMENTARY Spring Grove 19.5 mi 8.7
SPRING GROVE SECONDARY Spring Grove 19.5 mi 6.5
Postville Early Childhood/Ogden St Postville 18.1 mi
Postville Early Childhood Preschool/Post St/REC Center Postville 18.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,046

Median Home Value

$249,500

Median Rent

$813/mo

Population

12,539

College Educated

39%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Benedict School has a median household income of $70,046. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,500, with a median rent of $813/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 6.0
Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing, IA 6.0
New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford, IA 6.0
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup, IA 6.0
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL De Witt, IA 6.0
Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg, IA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Benedict School

What grades does St Benedict School serve?

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

How many students attend St Benedict School?

St Benedict School has an enrollment of approximately 138 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at St Benedict 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 St Benedict School rank in IA?

St Benedict School is ranked #92 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Benedict School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Benedict 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 Benedict School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Benedict School has 84.4% math proficiency and 94.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Benedict School a private school?

Yes, St Benedict 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 Benedict School a religious school?

St Benedict School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (343/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
138
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.3 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
WINNESHIEK
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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