Average
#92 of 157 private schools in IA
St Benedict School
Elementary School
402 RURAL AVE, Decorah, IA 52101
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#92 of 157
In Decorah
#2 of 2
public schools
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St Benedict School
Elementary School in Decorah · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Crossroads Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Carrie Lee Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About St Benedict School
St Benedict School is a private elementary school in Decorah, IA. St Benedict School serves approximately 138 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio. St Benedict School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #92 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for St Benedict School show 84% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 94% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 138 students, St Benedict School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 8.8:1 students to teachers, St Benedict School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
St Benedict School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
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 | 7.3 |
| Decorah Middle School | 8.6 |
| John Cline Elementary School | 8.1 |
| Decorah High School | 7.6 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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. SPRING GROVE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Spring Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Winneshiek Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Ossian), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Cline Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 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 | 7.3 |
| Decorah Middle School Decorah | 0.4 mi | 8.6 |
| John Cline Elementary School Decorah | 0.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Decorah High School Decorah | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| KINDERHAUS Decorah | 1.3 mi | — |
| South Winneshiek High School Calmar | 9.1 mi | 8.2 |
| South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian | 10.7 mi | 8.4 |
| South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian | 10.7 mi | 8.7 |
| MABEL-CANTON SECONDARY Mabel | 15.4 mi | 8.6 |
| MABEL-CANTON ELEMENTARY Mabel | 15.4 mi | 7.3 |
| VALLEY VIEW Mabel | 16.6 mi | — |
| Waukon High School Waukon | 14.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Waukon Middle School Waukon | 14.7 mi | 8.0 |
| West Campus Elementary School Waukon | 14.8 mi | 8.0 |
| SPRING GROVE ELEMENTARY Spring Grove | 19.5 mi | 8.5 |
| SPRING GROVE SECONDARY Spring Grove | 19.5 mi | 7.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup, IA | 6.0 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL De Witt, IA | 6.0 |
| Shannon Elementary School Monticello, IA | 6.0 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center Keosauqua, IA | 6.0 |
| H-L-V Elementary School Victor, 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 ranks #92 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is St Benedict School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Benedict School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at St Benedict School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, St Benedict School has 84% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 94% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (563) 382-4668
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