Average
#53 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 33% of private schools
St Theresa Catholic School
Elementary School
5810 CARPENTER AVE, Des Moines, IA 50311
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 60 schools in Des Moines. Learn more
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#5 of 13
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#35 of 103
About St Theresa Catholic School
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL serves 230 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Des Moines, Iowa. This elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.8 to 1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking 28th among Iowa's 157 elementary schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within the Catholic education tradition. Located at 5810 Carpenter Avenue in the 50311 zip code area, the school serves a diverse community where 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood has a median household income of $62,166 and median home values of $214,500, though about 21% of families experience poverty, creating an economically mixed student population.
The school's prekindergarten through eighth grade structure allows students to develop within a consistent educational environment over many formative years. ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL operates within Des Moines' mid-size city setting, providing students with both urban opportunities and a close-knit school community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
As a private school, St Theresa Catholic 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 Theresa Catholic School compares to 57 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Theresa Catholic School (this school) | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary | 6.2 |
| Cowles Elementary School | 6.0 |
| Hillis Elementary School | 5.5 |
| Clive Learning Academy | 7.6 |
| Perkins Elementary School | 5.0 |
| Merrill Middle School | 6.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary | 7.2 |
| Hanawalt Elementary | 6.7 |
| Moore Elementary School | 5.4 |
| Greenwood Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Callanan Middle School | 4.2 |
| Monroe Elementary School | 7.3 |
| Ruby Van Meter | 5.1 |
| Meredith Middle School | 6.0 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center | 5.1 |
| King Elementary School | 7.2 |
| Samuelson Elementary School | 5.8 |
| Edmunds Elementary School | 5.7 |
| Downtown School | 6.2 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor | 5.5 |
Showing 20 of 57 schools. View all schools in Des Moines
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
5810 CARPENTER AVE, Des Moines, IA 50311
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Theresa Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 0.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | — |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,233
Median Home Value
$228,000
Median Rent
$1,019/mo
Population
15,889
College Educated
41.4%
Homeownership
48%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
20.3%
Median Age
30.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Theresa Catholic School has a median household income of $63,233. 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 $228,000, with a median rent of $1,019/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| AHSTW Primary School Avoca, IA | 6.7 |
| Carpenter Elementary School Monticello, IA | 6.7 |
| George-Little Rock Elementary School Little Rock, IA | 6.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines, IA | 6.7 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines, IA | 6.7 |
| LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bettendorf, IA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Theresa Catholic School
What grades does St Theresa Catholic School serve?
St Theresa Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St Theresa Catholic School?
St Theresa Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 230 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Theresa Catholic School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Theresa Catholic School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Theresa Catholic School rank in IA?
St Theresa Catholic School is ranked #53 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is St Theresa Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Theresa Catholic School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Theresa Catholic School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Theresa Catholic School has 79.2% math proficiency and 87.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is St Theresa Catholic School a private school?
Yes, St Theresa Catholic 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 Theresa Catholic School a religious school?
St Theresa Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 230
- Gender Split
- 45% M / 55% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 172 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- POLK
- Phone
- (515) 277-0178
- 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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