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Very Good

#149 of 713 private schools in OH

Top 21% of private schools

St John Lutheran School

Elementary School

655 WAYNE AVE, Defiance, OH 43512

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Defiance. Learn more

Enrollment

59

Student-Teacher

6.7:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Defiance

#2 of 2

public schools

Ohio elementary schools

#80 of 409

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About St John Lutheran School

ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL serves 59 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Defiance, Ohio. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1 with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #116 out of 713 schools statewide and placing in the 84th percentile among Ohio elementary schools.

This strong ranking, reflected in MySchoolScout's 8.0 out of 10 rating, demonstrates the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its modest size. Located at 655 Wayne Avenue, ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL operates as a regular public school in a community where families enjoy a median household income of $69,889. The surrounding neighborhood features median home values of $148,700, reflecting the area's affordability and family-friendly character.

With 19% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 11.2%, the school serves a diverse mix of families in this community of nearly 28,500 residents. The school's small-town setting in Defiance provides students with a close-knit educational environment where individual growth and community connections flourish.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 59 students, St John 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 6.7:1, St John 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, St John 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St John Lutheran School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Defiance, OH

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
This School
vs
17.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
59
This School
vs
495
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.7
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 78% vs 0%
Hispanic 8.5% vs 0%
Asian 3.4% vs 0%
Black 1.7% vs 0%
St John Lutheran School Defiance Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St John Lutheran School (this school) 7.7
Defiance Middle School 6.0
Defiance Elementary School 6.7
Ayersville Elementary School 8.7
Ayersville High School 6.8
Tinora Middle School 6.9
Tinora Elementary School 7.9

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 OH.

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 6.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,190
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 38%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 59
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 OH

Test Scores OH OST (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 22.8%
School
State
46.1%

Based on 14 test records from OH state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 78.0%
Hispanic 8.5%
Two or More 8.5%
Asian 3.4%
Black 1.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

655 WAYNE AVE, Defiance, OH 43512

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St John Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakwood Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Oakwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ayersville Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Continental Local Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Continental), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Defiance, see our Defiance schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Defiance Middle School Defiance 1.3 mi 6.0
Defiance High School Defiance 1.3 mi 6.1
Defiance Elementary School Defiance 1.7 mi 6.7
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Defiance 2.1 mi 8.2
Tinora High School Defiance 5.6 mi 5.6
Tinora Middle School Defiance 5.6 mi 6.9
Tinora Elementary School Defiance 5.7 mi 7.9
Ayersville Elementary School Defiance 5.2 mi 8.7
Ayersville High School Defiance 5.2 mi 6.8
Four County Career Center Archbold 12.2 mi 7.9
Oakwood Elementary School Oakwood 12.8 mi 9.4
Continental Local Elementary School Continental 13.2 mi 8.5
Fairview High School Sherwood 10.9 mi 6.3
Fairview Middle School Sherwood 10.9 mi 7.7
Fairview Elementary School Sherwood 11.0 mi 6.9
Continental Local High School Continental 13.3 mi 8.7
Stryker Elementary School Stryker 15.4 mi 7.7
Stryker High School Stryker 15.4 mi 7.0
Napoleon Elementary School Napoleon 13.2 mi 8.1
Archbold High School Archbold 16.4 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 43512 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,082

Median Home Value

$149,300

Median Rent

$851/mo

Population

27,894

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

76.8%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

43.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding St John Lutheran School has a median household income of $72,082. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,300, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. 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
NICHOLAS SCHOOL Piqua, OH 7.8
ST MARY SCHOOL Shelby, OH 7.8
ST AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Napoleon, OH 7.6
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bryan, OH 7.6
HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cleveland, OH 7.5
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mansfield, OH 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St John Lutheran School

What grades does St John Lutheran School serve?

St John Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St John Lutheran School?

St John Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St John Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at St John Lutheran School is 6.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St John Lutheran School rank in OH?

St John Lutheran School is ranked #149 out of 713 private schools in OH.

What is St John Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

St John Lutheran School has a composite rating of 7.7 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.

What are the test scores at St John Lutheran School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St John Lutheran School has 12.3% math proficiency and 22.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St John Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, St John 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 St John Lutheran School a religious school?

St John Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,397/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
59
Gender Split
44% M / 56% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
DEFIANCE
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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