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#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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Zion-st John Lutheran School compares to the 1 public school in Paullina, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.1:1
This School
vs
11.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
47
This School
vs
242
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
6.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 97.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.1% vs 0%
Zion-st John Lutheran School Paullina Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,480
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 47
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)

Math Proficiency 96.2%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 88.5%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 4 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 97.9%
Hispanic 2.1%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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