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Average

#137 of 157 private schools in IA

St Malachy School

Elementary School

403 W CLARK ST, Creston, IA 50801

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

128

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Creston

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#90 of 103

About St Malachy School

St. Malachy School serves 128 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade in Creston, Iowa. This regular public elementary school maintains a notably small class environment with an 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide personalized attention to each student.

The school has earned strong recognition across Iowa, ranking 27th out of 157 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 83rd percentile. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10, St. Malachy School demonstrates solid academic performance within the Iowa public school system.

Students at St. Malachy come from a community where families have a median household income of $55,413 and homeownership is affordable with median home values around $118,300. About 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12%.

The school draws from a ZIP code area with nearly 9,000 residents. The intimate school size allows teachers to build meaningful relationships with students throughout their elementary and middle school years, creating a close-knit learning environment. St.

Malachy School is situated in Creston, a remote town setting that offers students a tight-knit community atmosphere where education remains a central focus for families and educators alike.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 128 students, St Malachy 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 Malachy 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 Malachy School compares to the 4 public schools in Creston, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
This School
vs
13.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
128
This School
vs
343
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.1
This School
vs
7.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 98.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 0.8% vs 0%
Asian 0.8% vs 0%
St Malachy School Creston Public Avg

All Schools in Creston

School Rating
St Malachy School (this school) 5.1
Creston Early Childhood Center 6.4
Creston High School 7.5
Creston Middle School 8.1
Creston Elementary School 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)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,170
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 3%
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 128
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 74.2%
School
State
73.7%
ELA Proficiency 92.9%
School
State
73.3%

Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 98.4%
Hispanic 0.8%
Asian 0.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

403 W CLARK ST, Creston, IA 50801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Malachy School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nodaway Valley Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Greenfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Corning Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Corning), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Creston Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Creston, see our Creston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Creston Early Childhood Center Creston 0.8 mi 6.4
Creston High School Creston 1.2 mi 7.5
MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston 1.2 mi 6.3
Creston Middle School Creston 1.6 mi 8.1
Creston Elementary School Creston 1.6 mi 7.5
Orient Elementary School Orient 10.4 mi 3.9
Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient 10.4 mi 6.1
East Union Elementary Afton 9.9 mi 6.9
East Union Middle-High School Afton 9.9 mi 6.7
Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal 17.1 mi 6.4
Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal 17.2 mi 5.9
Lenox Elementary School Lenox 15.9 mi 6.3
Lenox High School Lenox 15.9 mi 7.6
Nodaway Valley Elementary School Greenfield 18.4 mi 7.8
Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield 18.5 mi 6.0
Nodaway Valley Middle School Fontanelle 19.2 mi 6.7
Mount Ayr Elementary Mount Ayr 24.4 mi 6.0
Mount Ayr High School Mount Ayr 24.4 mi 7.7
Southwest Valley High school Corning 20.1 mi 7.8
Corning Elementary School Corning 20.1 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,453

Median Home Value

$120,700

Median Rent

$676/mo

Population

9,027

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

70.1%

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Malachy School has a median household income of $55,453. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,700, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 5.0
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison, IA 5.0
Delhi Elementary School Delhi, IA 5.2
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Maquoketa, IA 5.2
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt, IA 5.2
Whiting Elementary School Whiting, IA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Malachy School

What grades does St Malachy School serve?

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

How many students attend St Malachy School?

St Malachy School has an enrollment of approximately 128 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at St Malachy School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Malachy School rank in IA?

St Malachy School is ranked #137 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Malachy School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Malachy School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Malachy School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Malachy School has 74.2% math proficiency and 92.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Malachy School a private school?

Yes, St Malachy 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 Malachy School a religious school?

St Malachy School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,307/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
128
Gender Split
69% M / 31% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
UNION
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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