Average
#137 of 157 private schools in IA
St Malachy School
Elementary School
403 W CLARK ST, Creston, IA 50801
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#137 of 157
In Creston
#2 of 2
public schools
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St Malachy School
Elementary School in Creston · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Creston Early Childhood Center
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Creston High School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About St Malachy School
St Malachy School is a private elementary school in Creston, IA. St Malachy School serves approximately 128 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. St Malachy School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #137 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for St Malachy School show 74% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 93% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 128 students, St Malachy School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
St Malachy School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow St Malachy School compares to the 4 public schools in Creston, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Creston
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Malachy School (this school) | 5.1 |
| Creston Early Childhood Center | 6.8 |
| Creston High School | 7.6 |
| Creston Middle School | 8.0 |
| Creston Elementary School | 7.8 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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 IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
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. East Union Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Afton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mount Ayr Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Mount Ayr), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Corning Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Corning), 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 | 6.8 |
| Creston High School Creston | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Creston Middle School Creston | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Creston Elementary School Creston | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Orient Elementary School Orient | 10.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient | 10.4 mi | 5.8 |
| East Union Elementary Afton | 9.9 mi | 8.9 |
| East Union Middle-High School Afton | 9.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal | 17.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal | 17.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Lenox Elementary School Lenox | 15.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Lenox High School Lenox | 15.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Nodaway Valley Elementary School Greenfield | 18.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield | 18.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Nodaway Valley Middle School Fontanelle | 19.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Mount Ayr Elementary Mount Ayr | 24.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Mount Ayr High School Mount Ayr | 24.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Southwest Valley High school Corning | 20.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Corning Elementary School Corning | 20.1 mi | 8.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Stratford Elementary Stratford, IA | 5.1 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison, IA | 5.0 |
| SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Maquoketa, IA | 5.2 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt, IA | 5.2 |
| Keystone Elementary School Keystone, IA | 4.9 |
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 ranks #137 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is St Malachy School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Malachy School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at St Malachy School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, St Malachy School has 74% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 93% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (641) 782-7125
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