For the 2026 school year, there are 4 private schools serving 1,048 students in Cerro Gordo County, IA (there are 13 public schools, serving 5,328 public students). 16% of all K-12 students in Cerro Gordo County, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private school in Cerro Gordo County, IA is Newman Catholic School.
Top-Ranked Cerro Gordo County Private Schools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2445 19th St Sw
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6939
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6939
Gr: K-12 | 628 students Avg. class size: 39 students Sports: 17 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Clear Lake Classical
(Christian)
3714 N Shore Dr
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(630) 854-3006
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(630) 854-3006
Gr: PK-9 | 75 students
Newman Catholic Elementary School
(Catholic)
2000 S Mckinley Avenue
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-3101
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-3101
Gr: K-5 | 271 students Tuition listed
680 6th St SE
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6440
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6440
Gr: PK-12 | 74 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Overview
This County (Cerro Gordo County)
This State (IA)
# Schools
4 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
1,048 Students
52,671 Students
% Average Students of Color
9%
16%
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
76 Teachers
4,274 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
50%
40%
Average Class Size
26 students
16 students
Average Number of AP Courses
7 courses
9 courses
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
25
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$11,000
$9,686
Average % on Financial Aid
35%
37%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,200
$2,769
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.36
0.48
# American Indian Students
2 Students
116 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
19 Students
1,075 Students
% Asian Students
2%
2%
# Hispanic Students
33 Students
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
7%
# Black Students
28 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
3%
3%
# White Students
832 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
79%
70%
# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
98 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
131 Students
9,597 Students
% of Others Students
13%
18%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
4 extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
17 sports
7 sports
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA?
The top-ranked private schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA is Newman Catholic School.
How many private schools are located in Cerro Gordo County?
4 private schools are located in Cerro Gordo County.
What percentage of students in Cerro Gordo County go to private school?
16% of all K-12 students in Cerro Gordo County are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
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