The Value of a
Fatima Education
The early years of your child’s life are the most important time to build a foundation for lifelong learning.
A Foundation That Lasts
At Our Lady of Fatima, we combine strong academics with a faith-centered community, so your child grows not only in knowledge, but in character — the habits, values, and confidence they’ll carry well beyond elementary school.
Our students begin each day with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and they’re taught by teachers who know them by name and invest in their growth year after year. That kind of close, personal attention — in a school small enough to notice every child — is where academic excellence and moral formation grow together.
A Strong Foundation for Future Success
The habits that lead to success on the ACT—and in college—begin long before high school. Catholic elementary schools focus on developing the skills students need to excel throughout their academic journey.
Research consistently shows that students attending Catholic high schools often earn ACT scores above the national public school average. That success is built on years of strong reading, writing, mathematics, critical thinking, and disciplined study habits that begin in elementary school.
At a Catholic elementary school, students benefit from:
- Strong emphasis on reading and mathematics
- High academic expectations
- Character formation rooted in Christian values
- Smaller class sizes and individual attention
- Safe, nurturing learning environment
- Partnership between parents, teachers, and the Church
- Development of discipline, responsibility, and study skills
These experiences prepare students not only for success in high school but also for college and beyond.
Catholic Students Outperform Public School Students on NAEP
Catholic school students continue to outpace public school students in math and reading, according to the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), citing results from the 2024 Nation’s Report Card released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Notably, public school achievement has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, while Catholic school students have continued to pull ahead.
| Subject | Public | Catholic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Grade Reading | 214 | 230 | +16 points |
| 8th Grade Reading | 257 | 277 | +20 points |
| 4th Grade Math | 237 | 247 | +10 points |
| 8th Grade Math | 272 | 293 | +21 points |
Celebrating Academic Excellence
It is with great excitement and gratitude that we share the results from the 2025–2026 Iowa Assessments. These results provide valuable insight into our students’ academic growth and achievement, and we are thrilled to report outstanding success across our school community.
This remarkable accomplishment reflects the dedication of our students, the commitment of our teachers, and the partnership we share with our families.
At Our Lady of Fatima, we strive to provide an educational experience that nurtures academic excellence while developing faith, character, and a lifelong love of learning. These assessment results demonstrate that our students are not only meeting expectations but consistently exceeding them.
We are incredibly proud of the hard work, perseverance, and determination our students demonstrated throughout the 2025–2026 school year. Their success is the result of daily effort in the classroom, support at home, and the unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff to providing high-quality instruction in a faith-filled environment.
While we celebrate these achievements, we remain focused on continuous growth and improvement. The Iowa Assessment helps us identify strengths, guide instruction, and ensure that each student continues to be challenged and supported in reaching his or her fullest potential.
“Thank you for entrusting your children’s education to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School. Together, we are building a strong foundation for future success—academically, spiritually, and personally. May God continue to bless our school, our families, and our students.”
With gratitude and pride,
Mrs. Cindy Hahn
Principal