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Below Average

#144 of 157 private schools in IA

Sully Christian School

Elementary School

12629 S 92ND AVE E, Sully, IA 50251

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

42

Student-Teacher

5.9:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#95 of 103

About Sully Christian School

Sully Christian School serves 42 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the small rural community of Sully, Iowa. This intimate elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.9 to 1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 60th out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 62nd percentile among Iowa schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a close-knit learning environment where every student is known individually. The surrounding community of Sully demonstrates economic stability, with a median household income of $91,875 and a notably low poverty rate of just 2.8 percent. The median home value of $158,100 reflects the area's affordable housing market, while 23 percent of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Located in Jasper County, Sully Christian School operates in a remote rural setting that fosters strong community connections and a family-like atmosphere. The small-town environment provides students with a safe, supportive backdrop for their educational journey, where traditional values and academic growth go hand in hand.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 42 students, Sully Christian 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 5.9:1, Sully Christian 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, Sully Christian 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$18,142
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$16,757
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.92x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
47%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$343,935

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 42 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Sully Christian School compares to the 3 public schools in Sully, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.9:1
This School
vs
15.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
42
This School
vs
169
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
6.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 100% vs 0%
Sully Christian School Sully Public Avg

All Schools in Sully

School Rating
Sully Christian School (this school) 4.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School 6.7
Lynnville-Sully High School 5.9

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+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,118
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 1.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 0%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 42
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)

White 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

12629 S 92ND AVE E, Sully, IA 50251

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sully Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lynnville-Sully Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Pella), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bailey Park Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Grinnell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sully, see our Sully schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 0.6 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 0.6 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 0.6 mi 6.7
Jefferson Intermediate Pella 12.0 mi 6.0
Pella Middle School Pella 12.1 mi 6.5
Lincoln Elementary School Pella 11.9 mi 6.6
Madison Elementary School Pella 12.3 mi 6.0
PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella 12.2 mi 7.2
Pella High School Pella 12.4 mi 6.2
PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella 12.8 mi 5.7
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 12.7 mi 6.8
Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell 12.5 mi 6.9
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell 13.2 mi 7.2
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 13.2 mi 7.0
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell 13.8 mi 5.2
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 13.8 mi 6.8
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon 12.6 mi 5.3
North Mahaska Elementary School New Sharon 12.6 mi 6.3
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton 12.8 mi 5.2
Berg Middle School Newton 13.3 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50251 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,417

Median Home Value

$171,500

Median Rent

$905/mo

Population

1,481

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

84.8%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

3.2%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sully Christian School has a median household income of $95,417. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,500, with a median rent of $905/month. The local poverty rate of 3.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Protivin, IA 5.0
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell, IA 5.2
INWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Inwood, IA 5.5
LA SALLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Holy Cross, IA 5.5
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg, IA 5.6
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo, IA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sully Christian School

What grades does Sully Christian School serve?

Sully Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sully Christian School?

Sully Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sully Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sully Christian School is 5.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sully Christian School rank in IA?

Sully Christian School is ranked #144 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Sully Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sully Christian School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Sully Christian School a private school?

Yes, Sully Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sully Christian School a religious school?

Sully Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
42
Gender Split
38% M / 62% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
JASPER
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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