Average
#126 of 157 private schools in IA
St Paul Lutheran School
Elementary School
1217 4TH AVE S, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Fort Dodge
#3 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#83 of 103
About St Paul Lutheran School
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL serves 75 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Fort Dodge, Iowa. With seven full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 42nd among Iowa's 157 elementary schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide.
This solid academic standing reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a small school setting. The school draws families from Fort Dodge's 50501 area, where the median household income is $64,013 and median home values average $134,200. About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 13.5%, indicating a mixed-income community with diverse economic backgrounds.
As a small elementary school in this Webster County community, ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL offers students the benefits of individualized learning in a close-knit academic environment. The school operates in Fort Dodge's remote town setting, providing education within a tight-knit community atmosphere where students can develop lasting relationships with both peers and educators.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 75 students, St Paul Lutheran 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 Paul Lutheran 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 Paul Lutheran School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Fort Dodge, IA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Paul Lutheran School (this school) | 5.3 |
| Early Childhood Center | 5.9 |
| Butler Elementary School | 3.6 |
| Duncombe Elementary School | 3.3 |
| Feelhaver Elementary School | 4.3 |
| Cooper Elementary School | 3.6 |
| Fort Dodge Middle School | 5.6 |
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 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1217 4TH AVE S, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Paul Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Taft Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Dodge, see our Fort Dodge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge | 0.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge | 1.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge | 1.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside | 11.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum | 9.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Humboldt Middle School Humboldt | 14.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Humboldt High School Humboldt | 15.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City | 15.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Taft Elementary School Humboldt | 15.5 mi | 7.2 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt | 15.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Dayton Center Dayton | 17.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Robert Blue School Eagle Grove | 17.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove | 17.8 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,130
Median Home Value
$139,700
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
28,633
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
66.9%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Paul Lutheran School has a median household income of $66,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell, IA | 5.2 |
| CLARINDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Clarinda, IA | 5.5 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Monticello, IA | 5.5 |
| LUTHERAN INTERPARISH SCHOOL Williamsburg, IA | 5.6 |
| SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona, IA | 5.6 |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison, IA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Paul Lutheran School
What grades does St Paul Lutheran School serve?
St Paul Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St Paul Lutheran School?
St Paul Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 75 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Paul Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Paul Lutheran School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Paul Lutheran School rank in IA?
St Paul Lutheran School is ranked #126 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is St Paul Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Paul Lutheran School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Paul Lutheran School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Paul Lutheran School has 83.9% math proficiency and 76.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St Paul Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, St Paul Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod 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 Paul Lutheran School a religious school?
St Paul Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,310/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Dodge). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 75
- Gender Split
- 83% M / 17% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 173 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- WEBSTER
- Phone
- (515) 955-7208
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.