Average
#70 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 44% of private schools
Zion Lutheran School
Elementary School
1004 1ST AVE S, Denison, IA 51442
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
80
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
80
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Denison
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#46 of 103
About Zion Lutheran School
Zion Lutheran School serves 80 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Denison, Iowa. This elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1 with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for personalized attention and small class environments. The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #44 out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 73rd percentile among Iowa schools.
This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a close-knit learning environment. Located at 1004 1st Ave S, the school serves a community where the median household income is $59,325 and median home value is $123,600. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, with 15% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
These demographics reflect a working-class community where the school plays an important role in supporting student development. The intimate size of Zion Lutheran School, combined with its strong academic standing among Iowa elementary schools, suggests an environment where students receive individualized support. The school is situated in the remote town of Denison, providing a small-town educational experience within Crawford County's rural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 80 students, Zion 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Zion Lutheran 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, Zion 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 Zion Lutheran School compares to the 4 public schools in Denison, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Denison
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Zion Lutheran School (this school) | 6.5 |
| Broadway Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Denison Elementary School | 8.1 |
| Denison High School | 6.7 |
| Denison Middle School | 7.9 |
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.
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
1004 1ST AVE S, Denison, IA 51442
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zion Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Schleswig Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Schleswig), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School (rated 8.2/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Westside), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Denison Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denison, see our Denison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,399
Median Home Value
$146,200
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
9,586
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
75.9%
Avg Commute
14.8 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zion Lutheran School has a median household income of $64,399. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,200, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames, IA | 6.5 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Webster City, IA | 6.5 |
| Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal, IA | 6.4 |
| NEWTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton, IA | 6.4 |
| Stratford Elementary Stratford, IA | 6.7 |
| IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer, IA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zion Lutheran School
What grades does Zion Lutheran School serve?
Zion Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Zion Lutheran School?
Zion Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 80 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Zion Lutheran School rank in IA?
Zion Lutheran School is ranked #70 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Zion Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Zion Lutheran School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Zion Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Zion 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 Zion Lutheran School a religious school?
Zion Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (971/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denison). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 80
- Gender Split
- 55% M / 45% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 6.7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 169 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- CRAWFORD
- Phone
- (712) 263-4766
- 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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