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Average

#60 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 38% of private schools

St Matthew School

Elementary School

2244 1ST AVE NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 39 schools in Cedar Rapids. Learn more

Enrollment

175

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Cedar Rapids

#5 of 10

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#40 of 103

About St Matthew School

ST MATTHEW SCHOOL serves 175 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Cedar Rapids, offering an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 and 15 full-time equivalent teachers. This elementary school has earned recognition as one of Iowa's top performers, ranking #10 out of 157 schools statewide and earning a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10, placing it in the 94th percentile. The school draws families from a stable middle-class neighborhood where the median household income is $71,048 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a relatively low poverty rate of 12.3% in the surrounding area, the school benefits from community support and family engagement that often correlates with academic success. The small class sizes allow teachers to provide personalized attention to each student, fostering both academic growth and social development during these crucial elementary years. Parents appreciate the school's commitment to creating a nurturing environment where young learners can build strong foundational skills.

ST MATTHEW SCHOOL is situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa's second-largest city, providing families with access to cultural amenities and community resources while maintaining the close-knit feel of a neighborhood school.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 175 students, St Matthew 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 Matthew 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 Matthew School compares to 27 public schools serving similar grades in Cedar Rapids, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
This School
vs
14.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
175
This School
vs
361
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 85.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.9% vs 0%
Black 4.6% vs 0%
Asian 2.9% vs 0%
St Matthew School Cedar Rapids Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Matthew School (this school) 6.6
Arthur Elementary School 6.5
Johnson STEAM Academy School 4.4
Garfield Elementary School 3.6
Kenwood Leadership Academy School 7.2
Grant Wood Elementary School 6.5
Wright Elementary School 7.8
Erskine Elementary School 5.8
Pierce Elementary School 6.1
Harrison Elementary School 4.6
Cedar River Academy at Taylor 5.8
Bowman Woods Elementary School 6.7
Grant Elementary School 4.0
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Elementary
Madison Elementary School 6.2
Cleveland Elementary School 3.5
Maple Grove Elementary 8.1
Viola Gibson Elementary School 7.2
Van Buren Elementary School 3.9
Hoover Elementary School 5.5
Prairie Edge 6.9

Showing 20 of 27 schools. View all schools in Cedar Rapids

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 5.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,225
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 26%
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 175
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 86.1%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 86.4%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 7 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 85.7%
Hispanic 6.9%
Black 4.6%
Asian 2.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2244 1ST AVE NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Matthew School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wright Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SUMMIT SCHOOLS (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kenwood Leadership Academy School (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.3 mi 6.5
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids 0.3 mi 4.9
George Washington High School Cedar Rapids 0.3 mi 5.8
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 0.6 mi 4.9
Johnson STEAM Academy School Cedar Rapids 1.0 mi 4.4
Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids 1.2 mi 7.2
Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.0 mi 3.6
Grant Wood Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.4 mi 6.5
CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 1.2 mi 7.3
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 1.6 mi 6.2
McKinley STEAM Academy Cedar Rapids 1.6 mi 6.6
SUMMIT SCHOOLS Cedar Rapids 1.8 mi 7.5
Wright Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.7 mi 7.8
Erskine Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.7 mi 5.8
Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids 1.9 mi 6.4
Metro High School Cedar Rapids 2.0 mi 4.6
ISAAC NEWTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cedar Rapids 1.9 mi 6.2
ST PIUS X ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.3 mi 5.1
Pierce Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.6 mi 6.1
Bowman Woods Elementary School Cedar Rapids 3.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,319

Median Home Value

$188,700

Median Rent

$992/mo

Population

43,076

College Educated

41.4%

Homeownership

64.9%

Avg Commute

17.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Matthew School has a median household income of $71,319. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,700, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden, IA 6.6
Grant Center Albia, IA 6.6
Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona, IA 6.6
Stuart Elementary School Stuart, IA 6.6
Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey, IA 6.6
AQUIN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cascade, IA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Matthew School

What grades does St Matthew School serve?

St Matthew School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend St Matthew School?

St Matthew School has an enrollment of approximately 175 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at St Matthew School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Matthew School rank in IA?

St Matthew School is ranked #60 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Matthew School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Matthew School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Matthew School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Matthew School has 86.1% math proficiency and 86.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Matthew School a private school?

Yes, St Matthew 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 Matthew School a religious school?

St Matthew School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,957/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
175
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Midsize City
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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