Average
#92 of 157 private schools in IA
St Benedict School
Elementary School
402 RURAL AVE, Decorah, IA 52101
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
Enrollment
138
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow St Benedict School compares to the 4 public schools in Decorah, IA
Student Demographics
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.
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 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (563) 382-4668
- 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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