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
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#62 of 157
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Zion-st John Lutheran School
Elementary School in Paullina · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
South O'brien Secondary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South O'brien Elem Sch Primghar Center
8.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Zion-st John Lutheran School
Zion-st John Lutheran School is a private elementary school in Paullina, IA. Zion-st John Lutheran School serves approximately 47 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 7.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Zion-st John Lutheran School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #62 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Zion-st John Lutheran School show 96% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 47 students, Zion-st John Lutheran School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.1:1 students to teachers, Zion-st John Lutheran School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Zion-st John Lutheran School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
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 | 7.1 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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. Remsen-Union Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Remsen), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Sheldon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 16.5 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 | 7.1 |
| South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar | 8.5 mi | 6.7 |
| MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus | 12.2 mi | 7.8 |
| MMCRU High School Marcus | 12.2 mi | 7.4 |
| SANBORN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanborn | 14.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School Sanborn | 14.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee | 16.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Cherokee Middle School Cherokee | 16.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Sheldon Middle School Sheldon | 16.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Washington High School Cherokee | 16.4 mi | 5.9 |
| SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon | 16.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Sheldon High School Sheldon | 16.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Little Orabs Preschool Sheldon | 16.5 mi | — |
| East Elementary School Sheldon | 16.4 mi | 9.1 |
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon | 16.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley | 17.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley | 17.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen | 18.1 mi | 6.9 |
| 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
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 ranks #62 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Zion-st John Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Zion-st John Lutheran School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Zion-st John Lutheran School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Zion-st John Lutheran School has 96% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (712) 949-3915
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