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Very Good

#107 of 318 private schools in MN

Top 33% of private schools

St Joseph Catholic School

Elementary School

41 E 1ST ST, Waconia, MN 55387

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

150

Student-Teacher

8.9:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Waconia

#1 of 2

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#58 of 222

About St Joseph Catholic School

ST Joseph Catholic School is a charming elementary school nestled in Waconia, Minnesota, on the edge of an urban area. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 150 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is well-regarded for its strong community ties and supportive environment.

Although specific test score data isn't available, ST Joseph Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 indicates that there is room for academic growth while maintaining a focus on holistic student development. Waconia offers a picturesque setting with small-town charm, making it an ideal community for families seeking a nurturing educational environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 150 students, St Joseph Catholic 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 8.9:1, St Joseph Catholic 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, St Joseph Catholic 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 St Joseph Catholic School compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Waconia, MN

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
This School
vs
15.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
150
This School
vs
523
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.0
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.3% vs 0%
St Joseph Catholic School Waconia Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Joseph Catholic School (this school) 7.0
SOUTHVIEW ELEMENTARY 7.1
BAYVIEW ELEMENTARY 6.3
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION 6.0
Laketown Elementary 7.8
Waconia Middle School 5.9

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 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,139
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 12%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 150
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 94.0%
Hispanic 3.3%
Two or More 2.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

41 E 1ST ST, Waconia, MN 55387

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Joseph Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COLOGNE ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Cologne), which scores notably higher. Another option is Laketown Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WATERTOWN-MAYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Watertown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waconia, see our Waconia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTHVIEW ELEMENTARY Waconia 0.4 mi 7.1
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waconia 0.4 mi 6.0
BAYVIEW ELEMENTARY Waconia 0.5 mi 6.3
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Waconia 0.9 mi 6.0
TRANSITIONS 110 Waconia 0.9 mi
Laketown Elementary Waconia 1.1 mi 7.8
Waconia Middle School Waconia 1.6 mi 5.9
Waconia High School Waconia 1.9 mi 6.9
Waconia Learning Center Waconia 2.2 mi 6.8
COLOGNE ACADEMY Cologne 6.0 mi 8.2
Cologne Academy Online Cologne 6.0 mi
MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Mayer 5.6 mi 6.4
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mayer 5.8 mi 4.2
CHRIST COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Watertown 7.7 mi 4.3
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cologne 8.0 mi 5.4
WATERTOWN-MAYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown 8.0 mi 7.3
VICTORIA ELEMENTARY Victoria 6.3 mi 6.1
Watertown-Mayer Cmty Learning Cntr Watertown 8.7 mi
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Victoria 7.0 mi 5.3
WATERTOWN-MAYER MIDDLE Watertown 9.2 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,279

Median Home Value

$418,600

Median Rent

$1,306/mo

Population

14,697

College Educated

49.2%

Homeownership

82.6%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Joseph Catholic School has a median household income of $109,279. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $418,600, with a median rent of $1,306/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
ST PIUS X SCHOOL Rochester, MN 7.0
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Crookston, MN 7.0
ASHBY ELEMENTARY Ashby, MN 7.1
Cityview Elementary Minneapolis, MN 6.9
FULDA ELEMENTARY Fulda, MN 7.1
HOLY ROSARY Detroit Lakes, MN 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Joseph Catholic School

What grades does St Joseph Catholic School serve?

St Joseph Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Joseph Catholic School?

St Joseph Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 150 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Catholic School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Joseph Catholic School rank in MN?

St Joseph Catholic School is ranked #107 out of 318 private schools in MN.

What is St Joseph Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Joseph Catholic School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 St Joseph Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Joseph Catholic 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 St Joseph Catholic School a religious school?

St Joseph Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
150
Gender Split
67% M / 33% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.7 hours
Days Per Year
170 days
Setting
Fringe Town
County
CARVER
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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