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Very Good

#89 of 318 private schools in MN

Top 28% of private schools

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

Elementary School

815 FOURTH ST, International Falls, MN 56649

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

35

Student-Teacher

7.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Minnesota elementary schools

#50 of 222

About St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

ST THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL is a small, intimate elementary school in the remote town of International Falls, Minnesota. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 35 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, ensuring personalized attention for each child. With five full-time equivalent teachers, students receive individualized support to thrive academically and socially.

While detailed test score data is not available, ST THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL holds a respectable state ranking at #27 out of 318 schools in Minnesota, placing it firmly within the top third of similar institutions. This places the school well on its path to continuous improvement and academic growth for all students. Located in International Falls, this school is an integral part of the local community, offering a nurturing environment where children can grow both intellectually and spiritually.

The tight-knit setting provides a supportive atmosphere that encourages student development and fosters strong relationships between teachers, parents, and students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 35 students, St Thomas Aquinas 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 7.3:1, St Thomas Aquinas 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 Thomas Aquinas 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 Thomas Aquinas Catholic School compares to the 2 public schools in International Falls, MN

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.3:1
This School
vs
15:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
35
This School
vs
444
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 82.9% vs 0%
Black 5.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.9% vs 0%
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School International Falls Public Avg

All Schools in International Falls

School Rating
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (this school) 7.1
FALLS SECONDARY 5.8
FALLS ELEMENTARY 7.4

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 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,152.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 30%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 35
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 82.9%
Two or More 8.6%
Black 5.7%
Hispanic 2.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

815 FOURTH ST, International Falls, MN 56649

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FALLS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is NETT LAKE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 37.0 miles away, in nearby Orr), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LITTLEFORK-BIG FALLS ELEMENTARY (rated 4.7/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Littlefork), a more accessible option. For more schools in International Falls, see our International Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

6 within 37.0 mi
School Distance Rating
ISD 361 - ALC Program Virginia 0.1 mi
FALLS SECONDARY International Falls 0.8 mi 5.8
FALLS ELEMENTARY International Falls 0.9 mi 7.4
LITTLEFORK-BIG FALLS ELEMENTARY Littlefork 15.4 mi 4.7
LITTLEFORK-BIG FALLS SECONDARY Littlefork 15.4 mi 7.6
NETT LAKE ELEMENTARY Orr 37.0 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56649 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,348

Median Home Value

$143,600

Median Rent

$781/mo

Population

8,895

College Educated

21%

Homeownership

80.5%

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

47.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School has a median household income of $70,348. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,600, with a median rent of $781/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
NETT LAKE ELEMENTARY Orr, MN 7.1
ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL Mahnomen, MN 7.0
Lakeville Online Academy-Elementary Lakeville, MN 7.2
VirtualEDU ELementary Golden Valley, MN 7.3
Elementary Lighthouse Spring Lake Park, MN 6.8
Kinder Academy Chaska, MN 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

What grades does St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School serve?

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School?

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School rank in MN?

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is ranked #89 out of 318 private schools in MN.

What is St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic 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 St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Thomas Aquinas 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 Thomas Aquinas Catholic School a religious school?

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

7 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,606/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
35
Gender Split
46% M / 54% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.7 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
KOOCHICHING
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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