Private schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA
5 schools across Clear Lake, Mason City, Ventura. About 777 students in all (2023-24). 5 on the state’s Students First ESA list.
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake Classical ✓ | PreK-12 | 135 |
| Newman Catholic Elementary School ✓ | K-12 | 558 |
| Newman Catholic High School ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| North Iowa Christian School ✓ | K-12 | 84 |
| Clear Lake Classical - Ventura Campus ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
Cerro Gordo County private schools at a glance
- Towns
- 3; the most in Mason City (3)
- Among Iowa counties
- 12th most private schools of 67; 2% of the state’s 274
- Typical school
- 135 students (3 reporting)
- Smallest and largest
- North Iowa Christian School, 84 students; Newman Catholic Elementary School, 558 students
- Students per teacher
- 9.3 typical, 8.7 to 13.6 across 3 schools
- Association members
- 2, most often the Association of Classical and Christian Schools
- To a 4-year college
- 33% of graduates at the typical high school (3 reporting)
- State program
- Education savings account, $8,148 per student for 2026-27
How Students First ESA works
- Catholic1
- Christian, not Catholic2
- Not in federal survey2
- Pre-K (and up)1
- Elementary (K to 5)3
- Middle (6 to 8)3
- High school (9 to 12)3
- K to 12, one school3
- Cerro Gordo County100%
- All of Iowa89%
Where these facts come from
- Grades, size, affiliation, co-ed, membership, college-going: NCES Private School Universe Survey 2023-24, downloaded September 20, 2026.
- Program list: Iowa Students First Education Savings Account schools, list read October 26, 2026, checked November 4, 2026.
- Award and rules: Iowa Students First Education Savings Account, official page, read October 11, 2026.
Cities in and around Cerro Gordo County
Neighboring counties
- Franklin County (1)
- Winnebago County (1)
- Floyd County (1)
- Kossuth County (2)
- Chickasaw County (1)
- Grundy County (1)
- Hamilton County (1)
- Humboldt County (2)
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