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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Zion Lutheran School compares to the 4 public schools in Denison, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
15.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
80
This School
vs
560
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.5
This School
vs
7.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 80% vs 0%
Hispanic 15% vs 0%
Black 5% vs 0%
Zion Lutheran School Denison Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 2.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,132.3
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 34%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 80
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 80.0%
Hispanic 15.0%
Black 5.0%

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 mi
School Distance Rating
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison 0.1 mi 5.0
Broadway Elementary School Denison 0.4 mi 6.8
Denison High School Denison 1.0 mi 6.7
Denison Elementary School Denison 0.9 mi 8.1
Denison Middle School Denison 1.2 mi 7.9
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City 9.2 mi 7.2
Schleswig Middle School Schleswig 10.8 mi 5.6
Schleswig Elementary School Schleswig 10.8 mi 8.7
Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School Charter Oak 12.4 mi 7.3
Charter Oak-Ute Junior High School Charter Oak 12.4 mi 6.4
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside 13.9 mi 7.2
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside 13.9 mi 8.2
Irwin Elementary School Irwin 17.1 mi 6.0
Boyer Valley Middle/High School Dunlap 16.5 mi 6.3
Odebolt Elementary-Odebolt Odebolt 20.9 mi 8.0
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School Odebolt 20.9 mi 6.4
IKM-Manning Middle School Manning 17.4 mi 6.8
IKM-Manning High School Manning 17.4 mi 6.1
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove High School Ida Grove 22.7 mi 6.2
Odebolt Elementary-Ida Grove Ida Grove 23.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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