Average
#62 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 39% of private schools
Zion-st John Lutheran School
Elementary School
103 W BERTHA ST, Paullina, IA 51046
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#41 of 103
About Zion-st John Lutheran School
Zion-St John Lutheran School serves 47 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Paullina, Iowa. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school has earned strong recognition within Iowa's educational landscape, ranking 49th out of 157 schools statewide and placing in the 69th percentile.
MySchoolScout rates the school 7.8 out of 10, reflecting its solid academic standing among elementary schools across the state. Students at Zion-St John Lutheran benefit from the intimate learning environment that comes with a small enrollment, where teachers can develop close relationships with each child and tailor instruction to individual needs. The school's size fosters a tight-knit community atmosphere where students across all grade levels interact and learn together.
The surrounding Paullina community supports education with a median household income of $74,327 and a low poverty rate of 4.6 percent. About 23 percent of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values around $149,700 reflect the area's affordable cost of living. Zion-St John Lutheran School operates in Iowa's remote rural countryside, where students experience the benefits of small-town education and community connections.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 47 students, Zion-st John 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 7.1:1, Zion-st John 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-st John 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-st John Lutheran School compares to the 1 public school in Paullina, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Paullina
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Zion-st John Lutheran School (this school) | 6.6 |
| South O'Brien Secondary School | 6.5 |
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 4 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
103 W BERTHA ST, Paullina, IA 51046
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Zion-st John Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Hartley), which scores notably higher. Another option is MMCRU Marcus Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Marcus), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Paullina, see our Paullina schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar | 8.5 mi | 7.5 |
| MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus | 12.2 mi | 8.5 |
| MMCRU High School Marcus | 12.2 mi | 6.1 |
| SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn | 14.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn | 14.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee | 16.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Cherokee Middle School Cherokee | 16.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Sheldon Middle School Sheldon | 16.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Washington High School Cherokee | 16.4 mi | 6.1 |
| SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon | 16.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Sheldon High School Sheldon | 16.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon | 16.5 mi | — |
| East Elementary School Sheldon | 16.4 mi | 8.4 |
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon | 16.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley | 17.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley | 17.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 7.2 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Remsen | 18.2 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,389
Median Home Value
$161,200
Median Rent
$804/mo
Population
1,407
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
78.5%
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
51.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Zion-st John Lutheran School has a median household income of $81,389. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,200, with a median rent of $804/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah, IA | 6.6 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames, IA | 6.5 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 6.5 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer, IA | 6.5 |
| SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton, IA | 6.7 |
| DANBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danbury, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zion-st John Lutheran School
What grades does Zion-st John Lutheran School serve?
Zion-st John Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Zion-st John Lutheran School?
Zion-st John Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion-st John Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Zion-st John Lutheran School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Zion-st John Lutheran School rank in IA?
Zion-st John Lutheran School is ranked #62 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Zion-st John Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Zion-st John Lutheran School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Zion-st John Lutheran School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zion-st John Lutheran School has 96.2% math proficiency and 88.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Zion-st John Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Zion-st John 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-st John Lutheran School a religious school?
Zion-st John Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 47
- Gender Split
- 89% M / 11% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 185 days
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- O'BRIEN
- Phone
- (712) 949-3915
- 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.
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