Average
#82 of 157 private schools in IA
St Johns School
Elementary School
314 3RD ST NE, Independence, IA 50644
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#56 of 103
About St Johns School
ST JOHNS SCHOOL serves 135 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Independence, Iowa. This regular public elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #4 out of 157 schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile among Iowa elementary schools.
This exceptional ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within the community. Located at 314 3rd Street NE, ST JOHNS SCHOOL operates within a stable residential area where the median household income reaches $72,893 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.2%. The surrounding ZIP code 50644 has a population of 8,705, with 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Median home values in the area average $178,200, indicating a middle-class community that values education and stability. The school's small size allows for personalized attention and close relationships between teachers and students, creating an environment where each child can receive individualized support. ST JOHNS SCHOOL sits in the heart of Independence, a close-knit Iowa town that provides a supportive backdrop for elementary education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 135 students, St Johns 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 Johns 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 Johns School compares to the 4 public schools in Independence, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Independence
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Johns School (this school) | 6.2 |
| Early Childhood Center | 5.4 |
| East Elementary School | 7.1 |
| West Elementary School | 6.0 |
| Independence Junior Senior High School | 6.4 |
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
314 3RD ST NE, Independence, IA 50644
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Johns School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Buchanan Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Winthrop), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jesup Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Jesup), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| INDEPENDENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Independence | 0.8 mi | — |
| Early Childhood Center Independence | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| East Elementary School Independence | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| West Elementary School Independence | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Independence Junior Senior High School Independence | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup | 6.4 mi | — |
| Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup | 8.2 mi | — |
| East Buchanan Elementary School Winthrop | 7.8 mi | 8.0 |
| East Buchanan High School Winthrop | 7.8 mi | 6.1 |
| East Buchanan Middle School Winthrop | 7.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Triumph Elementary School Jesup | 9.6 mi | 2.0 |
| Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank | 10.8 mi | — |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup | 8.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Jesup Elementary School Jesup | 8.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Jesup High School Jesup | 8.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Jesup Middle School Jesup | 8.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Rural Elementary School #1 Fairbank | 11.8 mi | — |
| Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank | 12.1 mi | — |
| Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein | 13.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Oelwein High School Oelwein | 13.9 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50644 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,861
Median Home Value
$174,000
Median Rent
$770/mo
Population
8,475
College Educated
23.7%
Homeownership
77.6%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Johns School has a median household income of $79,861. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,000, with a median rent of $770/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.2 |
| IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer, IA | 6.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.2 |
| Walcott Elementary School Walcott, IA | 6.2 |
| Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein, IA | 6.3 |
| Adair-Casey Elementary School Adair, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Johns School
What grades does St Johns School serve?
St Johns School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St Johns School?
St Johns School has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Johns School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Johns School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Johns School rank in IA?
St Johns School is ranked #82 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is St Johns School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Johns School has a composite rating of 6.2 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.
Is St Johns School a private school?
Yes, St Johns 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 Johns School a religious school?
St Johns School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (820/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 135
- Gender Split
- 59% M / 41% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- BUCHANAN
- Phone
- (319) 334-7173
- 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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