Excellent
#9 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 5% of private schools
St Patrick Elementary School
Elementary School
1020 4TH AVE, Sheldon, IA 51201
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
5.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Sheldon
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#5 of 103
About St Patrick Elementary School
St Patrick Elementary School serves 47 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Sheldon, Iowa. This small public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.2:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 35th out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among Iowa schools.
This impressive ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its small size. St Patrick Elementary operates in a close-knit community where families enjoy a median household income of $69,041 and median home values of $165,900. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 13.9%, with 21% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The intimate school environment fosters strong relationships between students, teachers, and families, creating a supportive learning atmosphere where every child is known and valued. Located in the remote town of Sheldon in O'Brien County, St Patrick Elementary offers students the benefits of small-town education with individualized attention that's increasingly rare in today's educational landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 47 students, St Patrick Elementary 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 5.2:1, St Patrick Elementary 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 Patrick Elementary 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 Patrick Elementary School compares to the 4 public schools in Sheldon, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Sheldon
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Patrick Elementary School (this school) | 8.1 |
| East Elementary School | 8.4 |
| Sheldon High School | 7.4 |
| Little Orabs Preschool | — |
| Sheldon Middle School | 8.0 |
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
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1020 4TH AVE, Sheldon, IA 51201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Patrick Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Alton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Boyden-Hull Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Boyden), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sheldon, see our Sheldon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| East Elementary School Sheldon | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Sheldon High School Sheldon | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon | 1.2 mi | — |
| Sheldon Middle School Sheldon | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden | 7.5 mi | 7.6 |
| SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn | 9.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn | 10.0 mi | 6.3 |
| George-Little Rock Senior High School George | 13.2 mi | 5.6 |
| George-Little Rock Middle School George | 13.2 mi | 8.0 |
| South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar | 13.0 mi | 7.5 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School Alton | 15.3 mi | 7.8 |
| SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton | 15.5 mi | 7.9 |
| SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton | 15.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley | 16.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan Middle School Sibley | 16.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley | 16.8 mi | 7.4 |
| South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina | 16.2 mi | 6.5 |
| MOC-Floyd Valley Elementary School Orange City | 15.8 mi | 6.1 |
| ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina | 16.5 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,592
Median Home Value
$182,500
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
6,226
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
16.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.7%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Patrick Elementary School has a median household income of $70,592. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,500, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal, IA | 8.1 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa, IA | 7.9 |
| SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton, IA | 7.9 |
| Anthon Elementary Anthon, IA | 8.5 |
| The Cougars Den Ackley, IA | 7.6 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville, IA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Patrick Elementary School
What grades does St Patrick Elementary School serve?
St Patrick Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St Patrick Elementary School?
St Patrick Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Patrick Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Patrick Elementary School is 5.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Patrick Elementary School rank in IA?
St Patrick Elementary School is ranked #9 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is St Patrick Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Patrick Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.1 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.
Is St Patrick Elementary School a private school?
Yes, St Patrick Elementary 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 Patrick Elementary School a religious school?
St Patrick Elementary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 47
- Gender Split
- 57% M / 43% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- O'BRIEN
- Phone
- (712) 324-3181
- 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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