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Excellent

#11 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 6% of private schools

St James School

Elementary School

602 W 2ND ST, Washington, IA 52353

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

71

Student-Teacher

6.2:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#7 of 103

About St James School

ST JAMES SCHOOL serves 71 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Washington, Iowa, offering an intimate learning environment with an exceptional 6.2:1 student-teacher ratio. This small elementary school employs 11 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for each child. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking 18th out of 157 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 89th percentile among Iowa schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10, ST JAMES SCHOOL demonstrates strong educational outcomes that reflect the dedication of its teaching staff and the close-knit school community. Located at 602 W 2nd Street, the school serves families in a stable residential area where the median household income is $60,409 and median home values average $145,900. The surrounding community of nearly 9,000 residents maintains a low poverty rate of 10.2%, with 23% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The small class sizes at ST JAMES SCHOOL create opportunities for teachers to build meaningful relationships with students and provide individualized instruction across all grade levels. This regular public school operates within the welcoming town setting of Washington, fostering a supportive educational environment where young learners can thrive academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 71 students, St James 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 6.2:1, St James 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 James 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 James School compares to the 4 public schools in Washington, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.2:1
This School
vs
13.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
71
This School
vs
405
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.0
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 53.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 35.2% vs 0%
Asian 9.9% vs 0%
Black 1.4% vs 0%
St James School Washington Public Avg

All Schools in Washington

School Rating
St James School (this school) 8.0
Washington Middle School 7.1
Stewart Elementary School 6.2
Lincoln Upper Elementary School 7.2
Washington High School 3.5

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+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,232
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 58%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 71
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

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 53.5%
Hispanic 35.2%
Asian 9.9%
Black 1.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

602 W 2ND ST, Washington, IA 52353

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St James School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Keota Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Keota), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lincoln Upper Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mid-Prairie East Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Kalona), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington Middle School Washington 0.6 mi 7.1
Stewart Elementary School Washington 0.7 mi 6.2
Lincoln Upper Elementary School Washington 0.8 mi 7.2
Washington High School Washington 0.9 mi 3.5
WACO High School Wayland 10.4 mi 6.7
WACO Elementary School Crawfordsville 10.3 mi 5.8
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona 12.9 mi 6.7
Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Kalona 12.9 mi 7.2
Highland High School Riverside 11.0 mi 6.4
Highland Middle School Riverside 11.0 mi 5.9
Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy Wellman 13.2 mi
Mid-Prairie High School Wellman 13.3 mi 6.7
PATHWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalona 14.7 mi 3.3
Mid-Prairie West Elementary School Wellman 13.6 mi 6.2
Highland Elementary School Riverside 14.5 mi 7.1
HILLCREST ACADEMY Kalona 17.2 mi 7.9
HILLCREST ACADEMY Kalona 17.2 mi 6.8
Keota Elementary School Keota 14.0 mi 7.4
Keota High School Keota 14.0 mi 7.2
Hills Elementary School Hills 19.3 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52353 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,232

Median Home Value

$155,700

Median Rent

$912/mo

Population

9,072

College Educated

21.5%

Homeownership

64.3%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.9%

Median Age

39

Community Profile

The community surrounding St James School has a median household income of $63,232. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,700, with a median rent of $912/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge, IA 8.1
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal, IA 8.1
Ireton Elementary School Ireton, IA 7.9
SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa, IA 7.9
ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon, IA 8.1
Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant, IA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St James School

What grades does St James School serve?

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

How many students attend St James School?

St James School has an enrollment of approximately 71 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at St James School is 6.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St James School rank in IA?

St James School is ranked #11 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St James School's MySchoolScout rating?

St James School has a composite rating of 8.0 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.

Is St James School a private school?

Yes, St James 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 James School a religious school?

St James School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
60 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,105/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
71
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
176 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
WASHINGTON
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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