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Very Good

#90 of 318 private schools in MN

Top 28% of private schools

Sacred Heart Area School

Elementary School

324 4TH ST NE, Staples, MN 56479

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

79

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Minnesota elementary schools

#51 of 222

About Sacred Heart Area School

Sacred Heart Area School is a cozy elementary school located in the remote town of Staples, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Sacred Heart offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 79 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1. The dedicated staff includes eight full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide personalized attention and support for each child.

Although specific test score data isn't available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 indicates that there is room for academic growth and development within this tight-knit community. Sacred Heart Area School focuses on fostering a strong educational foundation and promoting holistic student development in its rural setting. Nestled in Todd County, Staples offers a peaceful backdrop with easy access to nature and outdoor activities, making it an ideal place for children to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 79 students, Sacred Heart Area 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 9.9:1, Sacred Heart Area 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, Sacred Heart Area 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 Sacred Heart Area School compares to the 3 public schools in Staples, MN

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
This School
vs
14.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
79
This School
vs
296
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 79.7% vs 0%
Asian 8.9% vs 0%
Black 2.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.3% vs 0%
Sacred Heart Area School Staples Public Avg

All Schools in Staples

School Rating
Sacred Heart Area School (this school) 7.1
STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH 7.1
MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.7
Staples-Motley Elementary 7.5

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 MN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 5.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,149.2
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 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- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 79
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 MN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 79.7%
Asian 8.9%
Two or More 6.3%
Black 2.5%
Hispanic 1.3%
Native American 1.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

324 4TH ST NE, Staples, MN 56479

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sacred Heart Area School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BERTHA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Bertha), which scores notably higher. Another option is PILLAGER ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Pillager), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Browerville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Staples, see our Staples schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.7 mi
School Distance Rating
STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH Staples 0.1 mi 7.1
MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Staples 0.1 mi 6.7
Staples-Motley Elementary Staples 0.5 mi 7.5
VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale 10.2 mi
VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale 11.0 mi 5.1
VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale 11.0 mi 5.1
LIVING WATERS MENNONITE SCHOOL Browerville 16.5 mi 4.0
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Browerville 19.0 mi 6.2
BROWERVILLE SECONDARY Browerville 19.1 mi 6.4
BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY Browerville 19.1 mi 8.2
BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha 14.3 mi 8.3
BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha 14.3 mi 6.1
Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager 14.8 mi 4.5
PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager 15.6 mi 8.3
Pillager Senior High School Pillager 15.6 mi 7.2
Pillager Middle School Pillager 15.6 mi 5.8
Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena 16.7 mi 7.3
White Pine Academy Wadena 16.7 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena 16.7 mi
LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena 16.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56479 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,009

Median Home Value

$177,500

Median Rent

$856/mo

Population

5,018

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sacred Heart Area School has a median household income of $58,009. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
EMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hamburg, MN 7.1
NETT LAKE ELEMENTARY Orr, MN 7.1
ST MARY OF MT. CARMEL SCHOOL Long Prairie, MN 7.1
Tower-Soudan Elementary Tower, MN 7.1
VIKING ELEMENTARY Viking, MN 7.1
FLOODWOOD ELEMENTARY Floodwood, MN 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sacred Heart Area School

What grades does Sacred Heart Area School serve?

Sacred Heart Area School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Sacred Heart Area School?

Sacred Heart Area School has an enrollment of approximately 79 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sacred Heart Area School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sacred Heart Area School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sacred Heart Area School rank in MN?

Sacred Heart Area School is ranked #90 out of 318 private schools in MN.

What is Sacred Heart Area School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sacred Heart Area School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Sacred Heart Area School a private school?

Yes, Sacred Heart Area School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sacred Heart Area School a religious school?

Sacred Heart Area School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,709/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
79
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
169 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
TODD
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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