Very Good
#111 of 399 private schools in MO
Top 28% of private schools
St James School
Elementary School
120 MICHIGAN AVE, St. Joseph, MO 64504
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MO statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher
7.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher
7.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In St. Joseph
#4 of 8
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#50 of 238
About St James School
ST JAMES SCHOOL serves 85 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Saint Joseph, Missouri. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #59 out of 399 schools statewide and placing in the 86th percentile among Missouri elementary schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in an intimate learning environment where every student can receive individualized support. Located at 120 Michigan Avenue in the 64504 zip code area, ST JAMES SCHOOL serves a diverse community where the median household income is $53,778 and median home values average $100,100. The surrounding neighborhood is home to over 10,000 residents, with about 13% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
While 22% of families in the area face economic challenges, the school's small size and dedicated teaching staff create opportunities for meaningful connections and academic growth. ST JAMES SCHOOL operates as a regular public school in Saint Joseph's small city setting, providing a close-knit educational community where students can thrive academically while receiving the individual attention that comes with a smaller school environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 85 students, St James 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 7.4:1, St James 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 James 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
BetaHow St James School compares to 20 public schools serving similar grades in St. Joseph, MO
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St James School (this school) | 7.0 |
| HOSEA ELEM. | 6.8 |
| HYDE ELEM. | 6.7 |
| SPRING GARDEN MIDDLE | 5.0 |
| CARDEN PARK ELEM | 7.1 |
| HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL | 6.6 |
| PARKWAY ELEM. | 6.1 |
| PICKETT ELEM. | 6.8 |
| TRUMAN MIDDLE | 6.8 |
| EDISON ELEM. | 7.5 |
| BODE MIDDLE | 4.8 |
| SKAITH ELEM. | 7.6 |
| LINDBERGH ELEM. | 5.0 |
| COLEMAN ELEM. | 6.3 |
| FIELD ELEM. | 5.6 |
| ROBIDOUX MIDDLE | 7.0 |
| RIVERBEND TREATMENT CTR. | — |
| PERSHING ELEM. | 5.1 |
| OAK GROVE ELEM | 7.4 |
| JOHN GLENN ELEM. | 5.8 |
| ELLISON ELEM. | 8.0 |
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 MO.
Data Unavailable
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 MO
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
120 MICHIGAN AVE, St. Joseph, MO 64504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St James School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverside Intermediate (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Elwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is SKAITH ELEM. (rated 7.6/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, EDISON ELEM. (rated 7.5/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in St. Joseph, see our St. Joseph schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOSEA ELEM. St. Joseph | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| BENTON HIGH St. Joseph | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| HYDE ELEM. St. Joseph | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| SPRING GARDEN MIDDLE St. Joseph | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| SOUTH PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY St. Joseph | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| CARDEN PARK ELEM St. Joseph | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Riverside Primary School Elwood | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Riverside Intermediate Elwood | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL St. Joseph | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL St. Joseph | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| PARKWAY ELEM. St. Joseph | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| CENTRAL HIGH St. Joseph | 3.9 mi | 4.0 |
| EDISON ELEM. St. Joseph | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
| TRUMAN MIDDLE St. Joseph | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| LAFAYETTE HIGH St. Joseph | 4.7 mi | 5.2 |
| BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph | 4.5 mi | 4.8 |
| PICKETT ELEM. St. Joseph | 3.9 mi | 6.8 |
| LINDBERGH ELEM. St. Joseph | 5.2 mi | 5.0 |
| SKAITH ELEM. St. Joseph | 4.5 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,300
Median Home Value
$115,100
Median Rent
$918/mo
Population
10,286
College Educated
13.3%
Homeownership
70.6%
Avg Commute
17.4 min
Poverty Rate
22.4%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding St James School has a median household income of $55,300. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,100, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| CHESTERFIELD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chesterfield, MO | 7.0 |
| THE FREEDOM SCHOOL St. Louis, MO | 7.0 |
| FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL Poplar Bluff, MO | 6.9 |
| LEOPOLD ELEM. Leopold, MO | 6.9 |
| LIBERAL ELEM. Liberal, MO | 7.1 |
| LITTLE FLOWER CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. Louis, MO | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St James School
What grades does St James School serve?
St James School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St James School?
St James School has an enrollment of approximately 85 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St James School?
The student-teacher ratio at St James School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St James School rank in MO?
St James School is ranked #111 out of 399 private schools in MO.
What is St James School's MySchoolScout rating?
St James 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 James School a private school?
Yes, St James 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 James School a religious school?
St James School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,597/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (St. Joseph). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 85
- Gender Split
- 46% M / 54% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 6.8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 169 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- BUCHANAN
- Phone
- (816) 238-0281
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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