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Very Good

#31 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 19% of private schools

St Cecilia Elementary School

Elementary School

2900 HOOVER AVE, Ames, IA 50010

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

140

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Ames

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#19 of 103

About St Cecilia Elementary School

St Cecilia Elementary School serves 140 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Ames, Iowa. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.3 to 1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks 106th among Iowa's 157 elementary schools.

While positioned in the 33rd percentile statewide, St Cecilia provides a solid educational foundation for its young learners with opportunities for continued academic development. Located on Hoover Avenue, the school serves families in a well-educated community where 59% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a median household income of $64,573 and median home values around $235,700.

The area maintains the character of a small city environment, with a population of approximately 33,400 residents in the zip code area. St Cecilia Elementary operates within a community that values education, evidenced by the high percentage of college-educated residents. The school's manageable size and strong student-teacher ratio create an environment where elementary students can build fundamental academic skills.

The school is situated in Ames, a small city that provides a supportive educational setting for growing families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 140 students, St Cecilia Elementary 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.

As a private school, St Cecilia Elementary 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 Cecilia Elementary School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Ames, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
This School
vs
14.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
140
This School
vs
374
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.2
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 80% vs 0%
Black 6.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.4% vs 0%
Asian 2.9% vs 0%
St Cecilia Elementary School Ames Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Cecilia Elementary School (this school) 7.2
Fellows Elementary School 7.1
Northwood Pre-School 4.0
Meeker Elementary School 7.4
Sawyer Elementary School 8.0
Edwards Elementary School 8.3
Mitchell Elementary School 6.7

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)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.4 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,332
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 35%
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 140
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 86.4%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 88.6%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 7 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 80.0%
Black 6.4%
Hispanic 6.4%
Two or More 4.3%
Asian 2.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2900 HOOVER AVE, Ames, IA 50010

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Cecilia Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwards Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sawyer Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Meeker Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ames, see our Ames schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Fellows Elementary School Ames 0.5 mi 7.1
Northwood Pre-School Ames 0.5 mi 4.0
Ames High School Ames 0.7 mi 5.9
Meeker Elementary School Ames 1.0 mi 7.4
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames 2.9 mi 6.5
Sawyer Elementary School Ames 2.7 mi 8.0
Gilbert High School Gilbert 3.7 mi 6.2
Ames Middle School Ames 3.3 mi 6.3
Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert 3.9 mi 4.6
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert 4.0 mi 6.3
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert 4.0 mi 4.4
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 4.4 mi 6.7
Edwards Elementary School Ames 3.7 mi 8.3
Roland-Story High School Story City 9.8 mi 5.2
Roland-Story Elementary School Story City 10.0 mi 6.4
United Community School Boone 7.7 mi 6.9
Ballard High School Huxley 10.3 mi 5.6
Ballard Middle School Huxley 10.6 mi 7.0
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 11.2 mi 5.4
Roland-Story Middle School Roland 10.3 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50010 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,701

Median Home Value

$243,200

Median Rent

$981/mo

Population

33,428

College Educated

59.1%

Homeownership

54.1%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

29.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Cecilia Elementary School has a median household income of $65,701. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,200, with a median rent of $981/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. 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
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City, IA 7.2
Melcher-Dallas Elementary Dallas, IA 7.2
Oakland Elementary Oakland, IA 7.2
Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School Charter Oak, IA 7.3
New Albin Elementary School Lansing, IA 7.3
Stanton Elementary School Stanton, IA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Cecilia Elementary School

What grades does St Cecilia Elementary School serve?

St Cecilia Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend St Cecilia Elementary School?

St Cecilia Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Cecilia Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Cecilia Elementary School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Cecilia Elementary School rank in IA?

St Cecilia Elementary School is ranked #31 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Cecilia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Cecilia Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Cecilia Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Cecilia Elementary School has 86.4% math proficiency and 88.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Cecilia Elementary School a private school?

Yes, St Cecilia Elementary 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 Cecilia Elementary School a religious school?

St Cecilia Elementary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
83 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,657/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
140
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.4 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
STORY
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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