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Average

#256 of 716 private schools in IL

Top 36% of private schools

Christ Lutheran School

Elementary School

2000 18TH AVE, Sterling, IL 61081

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

45

Student-Teacher

7.5:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Sterling

#1 of 2

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#146 of 471

About Christ Lutheran School

Christ Lutheran School is a small elementary school located in Sterling, Illinois, enrolling just 45 students from pre-K through fifth grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1 and six full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. Despite its modest size, Christ Lutheran School is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment that supports academic growth and development.

While specific test score data isn't available, the MySchoolScout rating places the school at 5.1 out of 10, reflecting an opportunity for further improvement in academic performance. The school's setting within a small town offers a tight-knit community where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Christ Lutheran School is situated in a close-knit neighborhood that values education and supports its young learners as they grow and explore their educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 45 students, Christ 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 7.5:1, Christ 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, Christ 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$650
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$211
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.32x — At Risk
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$24,210

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 45 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Christ Lutheran School compares to the 6 public schools in Sterling, IL

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
This School
vs
15.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
45
This School
vs
538
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
5.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 75.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 8.9% vs 0%
Asian 8.9% vs 0%
Christ Lutheran School Sterling Public Avg

All Schools in Sterling

School Rating
Christ Lutheran School (this school) 6.8
Franklin Elem School 4.7
Jefferson Elem School 4.8
Challand Middle School 5.7
Lincoln Elem School 4.8
Sterling High School 5.6
Washington Elem School 6.1

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 IL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,224
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 41%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 45
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 IL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 75.6%
Hispanic 8.9%
Asian 8.9%
Two or More 6.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2000 18TH AVE, Sterling, IL 61081

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Christ Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Merrill Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Rock Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montmorency CCSD #145 (rated 8.0/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Rock Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANDREW CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Rock Falls), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Franklin Elem School Sterling 0.3 mi 4.7
Jefferson Elem School Sterling 0.6 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elem School Sterling 0.8 mi 4.8
Challand Middle School Sterling 0.7 mi 5.7
Sterling High School Sterling 0.9 mi 5.6
Washington Elem School Sterling 1.7 mi 6.1
East Coloma - Nelson Elem Sch Rock Falls 2.3 mi 5.4
Merrill Elem School Rock Falls 2.3 mi 8.5
NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sterling 1.8 mi 5.8
Rock Falls Township High School Rock Falls 2.5 mi 6.3
ST ANDREW CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rock Falls 2.8 mi 7.2
Dillon Elementary School Rock Falls 3.3 mi 7.2
Rock Falls Middle School Rock Falls 3.2 mi 5.6
Riverdale PreSchool Center Rock Falls 4.1 mi 5.0
Montmorency CCSD #145 Rock Falls 6.1 mi 8.0
Jefferson Elem School Dixon 9.8 mi 4.9
Chadwick-Milledgeville Elem Sch Milledgeville 12.1 mi 5.6
Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville 12.1 mi 8.0
Dixon High School Dixon 10.0 mi 4.2
ST MARY ELEMENTARY AND JR. HIGH Dixon 10.2 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61081 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,854

Median Home Value

$121,000

Median Rent

$791/mo

Population

20,916

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

70.5%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Christ Lutheran School has a median household income of $60,854. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,000, with a median rent of $791/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
CAMBRIDGE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Chicago, IL 6.7
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Machesney Park, IL 6.7
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Machesney Park, IL 6.7
MIDWEST CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY Bolingbrook, IL 6.7
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PEORIA Peoria Heights, IL 6.7
McClellan Elementary School Mount Vernon, IL 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Christ Lutheran School

What grades does Christ Lutheran School serve?

Christ Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Christ Lutheran School?

Christ Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Christ Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at Christ Lutheran School is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Christ Lutheran School rank in IL?

Christ Lutheran School is ranked #256 out of 716 private schools in IL.

What is Christ Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

Christ Lutheran School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Christ Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, Christ 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 Christ Lutheran School a religious school?

Christ Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,660/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sterling). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
45
Gender Split
69% M / 31% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
WHITESIDE
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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