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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How St Patrick Elementary School compares to the 4 public schools in Sheldon, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.2:1
This School
vs
14.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
47
This School
vs
290
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.1
This School
vs
7.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 53.2% vs 0%
White 42.6% vs 0%
Black 4.3% vs 0%
St Patrick Elementary School Sheldon Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 54%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 47
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)

Hispanic 53.2%
White 42.6%
Black 4.3%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
59 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (982/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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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