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
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
Enrollment
71
Student-Teacher
6.2:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow St James School compares to the 4 public schools in Washington, IA
Student Demographics
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.
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
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (319) 653-3631
- 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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