Very Good
#36 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 22% of private schools
St Mary's School
School
523 MADISON, Remsen, IA 51050
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
187
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
187
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#7 of 35
About St Mary's School
ST MARY'S SCHOOL serves 187 students in grades PK through 12 in the small rural community of Remsen, Iowa. This regular public school stands out with an impressive 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio, well below typical averages, thanks to its dedicated team of 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The intimate class sizes allow for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships throughout the K-12 experience.
The school has earned recognition for its academic quality, receiving a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #33 out of 157 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Iowa schools. This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a close-knit environment where students can thrive academically and personally. ST MARY'S SCHOOL is nestled in Plymouth County's ZIP code 51050, where families enjoy a median household income of $94,605 and median home values of $205,100.
The community maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.6% among its 3,043 residents. While 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the area values education and community involvement. The school operates in Remsen's peaceful rural setting, providing students with a supportive small-town atmosphere where everyone knows each other and educational achievement is celebrated.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 187 students, St Mary's 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 7.2:1, St Mary's 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 Mary's 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 Mary's School compares to the 2 public schools in Remsen, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Remsen
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Mary's School (this school) | 7.1 |
| Remsen-Union Elementary School | 8.1 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School | 7.2 |
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 IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 21 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
523 MADISON, Remsen, IA 51050
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Mary's School may also want to explore other schools in the area. MMCRU Marcus Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Marcus), which scores notably higher. Another option is Remsen-Union Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Alton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Remsen, see our Remsen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen | 0.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| MMCRU High School Marcus | 8.4 mi | 6.1 |
| MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus | 8.4 mi | 8.5 |
| SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton | 12.5 mi | 7.9 |
| SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton | 12.5 mi | 6.7 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton | 12.6 mi | 7.8 |
| GEHLEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Le Mars | 9.6 mi | 6.8 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Elementary School Orange City | 13.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Franklin Elementary School Le Mars | 9.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Kluckhohn Elementary School Le Mars | 10.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Clark Elementary School Le Mars | 10.3 mi | 7.8 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley High School Orange City | 13.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Le Mars High School Le Mars | 10.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Le Mars Middle School Le Mars | 10.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Individualized Learning Center Le Mars | 10.9 mi | 5.1 |
| ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City | 14.2 mi | 5.5 |
| UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Orange City | 14.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Kingsley | 15.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Kingsley-Pierson High School Kingsley | 15.5 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,691
Median Home Value
$219,100
Median Rent
$1,014/mo
Population
2,909
College Educated
16.4%
Homeownership
82.9%
Avg Commute
19.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Mary's School has a median household income of $101,691. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,100, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clinton, IA | 7.1 |
| MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PK-12 Bellevue, IA | 6.9 |
| CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA | 7.3 |
| TRI-STATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Asbury, IA | 6.7 |
| RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE Bettendorf, IA | 8.0 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines, IA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Mary's School
What grades does St Mary's School serve?
St Mary's School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend St Mary's School?
St Mary's School has an enrollment of approximately 187 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary's School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Mary's School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Mary's School rank in IA?
St Mary's School is ranked #36 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is St Mary's School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Mary's 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 Mary's School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Mary's School has 74.8% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St Mary's School a private school?
Yes, St Mary's 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 Mary's School a religious school?
St Mary's School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 187
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- PLYMOUTH
- Phone
- (712) 786-1433
- 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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