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Very Good

#35 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 22% of private schools

St Joseph Catholic School

Elementary School

1430 14TH ST, Marion, IA 52302

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 13 schools in Marion. Learn more

Enrollment

123

Student-Teacher

8.4:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#23 of 103

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About St Joseph Catholic School

ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL serves 123 students in grades PK through 8 in Marion, Iowa. Despite being listed as a "regular public school" in the data, this elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in small classroom settings. The school demonstrates strong overall performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks impressively as #6 out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile among Iowa schools.

This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its intimate learning environment. St. Joseph Catholic School draws families from the 52302 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $82,242 and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community maintains economic stability with a low poverty rate of 7.2% and median home values around $211,000, creating a supportive environment for educational achievement. The school's location in Marion offers families the benefits of a mid-size suburban community, providing a close-knit atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational and cultural resources in the surrounding Linn County area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 123 students, St Joseph Catholic 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 8.4:1, St Joseph Catholic 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 Joseph Catholic 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 Joseph Catholic School compares to 13 public schools serving similar grades in Marion, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
This School
vs
13.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
123
This School
vs
446
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 89.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.9% vs 0%
Black 3.3% vs 0%
Asian 2.4% vs 0%
St Joseph Catholic School Marion Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Joseph Catholic School (this school) 7.1
Vernon Middle School 6.1
Wilkins Elementary School 7.0
Indian Creek Elementary School 5.9
Novak Elementary School 7.9
Longfellow Elementary 6.7
Francis Marion Intermediate School 8.8
Starry Elementary School 7.6
Excelsior Middle School 6.6
Boulder Peak Intermediate School 6.5
Linn Grove Elementary School 6.7
Oak Ridge Middle School 6.3
Hazel Point Intermediate School 7.4
Echo Hill Elementary 7.5

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 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.9 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,193.7
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 20%
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 123
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 92.9%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 93.9%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 89.4%
Hispanic 4.9%
Black 3.3%
Asian 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1430 14TH ST, Marion, IA 52302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Joseph Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Francis Marion Intermediate School (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Novak Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Starry Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Marion, see our Marion schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Vernon Middle School Marion 0.7 mi 6.1
Indian Creek Elementary School Marion 0.8 mi 5.9
Linn-Mar High School Marion 0.9 mi 5.7
Novak Elementary School Marion 0.8 mi 7.9
Francis Marion Intermediate School Marion 0.9 mi 8.8
Wilkins Elementary School Marion 0.7 mi 7.0
Longfellow Elementary Marion 0.8 mi 6.7
Starry Elementary School Marion 1.2 mi 7.6
Marion High School Marion 1.2 mi 6.3
Excelsior Middle School Marion 1.3 mi 6.6
Bowman Woods Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.7 mi 6.7
Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion 1.9 mi 6.5
Oak Ridge Middle School Marion 2.3 mi 6.3
Hazel Point Intermediate School Marion 2.5 mi 7.4
Echo Hill Elementary Marion 2.5 mi 7.5
Linn Grove Elementary School Marion 2.1 mi 6.7
CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 3.3 mi 7.3
Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids 2.9 mi 7.2
SUMMIT SCHOOLS Cedar Rapids 2.9 mi 7.5
Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids 3.0 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,463

Median Home Value

$232,900

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

42,732

College Educated

39.1%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Joseph Catholic School has a median household income of $87,463. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,900, with a median rent of $963/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. 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
Readlyn Elementary School Readlyn, IA 7.1
River Valley Elementary Washta, IA 7.1
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City, IA 7.1
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.0
SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan, IA 7.0
SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon, IA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Joseph Catholic School

What grades does St Joseph Catholic School serve?

St Joseph Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Joseph Catholic School?

St Joseph Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 123 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Catholic School is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Joseph Catholic School rank in IA?

St Joseph Catholic School is ranked #35 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Joseph Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Joseph Catholic School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Joseph Catholic School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Joseph Catholic School has 92.9% math proficiency and 93.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Joseph Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Joseph Catholic 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 Joseph Catholic School a religious school?

St Joseph Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (622/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
123
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.9 hours
Days Per Year
173 days
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
LINN
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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