Dowling Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
West Des Moines, IA
1400 Buffalo Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Overall grade: A-
ChooseAPrivateSchool.com grade, from official facts compared with similar schools.
- BClass size
- ACollege-going
- A-Years serving families
- A-Diversity
What stands out
- The smallest classes of any Catholic school in West Des Moines
- One of the 3 largest Catholic schools in Iowa
- The largest Catholic school in West Des Moines
- 97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
- Serving families in West Des Moines since at least 2011
Dowling Catholic High School is a Catholic diocesan school in West Des Moines, Iowa, for students from 9th grade through 12th grade. It has about 1,354 students and around 15 students per teacher. Its enrollment has held steady since 2011–12. The school is part of the Diocese of Des Moines. The school reports that about 97% of its graduates go on to four-year colleges. Students attend about 7 hours a day, 175 days a year. Iowa has programs that can help pay tuition; ask the school whether it takes part.
At a glance
- Grades
- Grades 9–12
- Students
- 1,354
- Teachers
- 92.6 (full-time equivalent)
- Students per teacher
- 14.6
- Boys and girls
- Coed · 637 girls, 717 boys
- Religious affiliation
- Catholic · Diocesan school
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
- School day
- About 7 hours
- School year
- 175 days
- Graduates going to 4-year colleges
- About 97% (the school's estimate for the class before the survey)
- Library
- Yes
Reviews
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How it compares
- Larger than 97% of Catholic high schools nationwide.
- Compared with 773 Catholic high schools nationwide.
Students by survey year
Total students reported in official records since 2011–12.
Students by grade
Student body
Member of
- National Catholic Educational Association
Help paying tuition in Iowa
These state programs can help pay private school tuition. Only participating schools can accept them, so ask Dowling Catholic High School whether it takes part.
- Students First Education Savings Accounts · Education savings account
Questions to ask on a tour
- What is tuition, and what does it include (books, fees, uniforms, trips)?
- Do you offer financial aid, sibling discounts or payment plans?
- Do you accept ESA, voucher or tax-credit scholarship funds?
- How big are classes in my child's grade?
- What support is there for students who need extra help or more challenge?
- Is the school accredited, and by whom?
- What do a typical day and a typical week look like?
- How does the school communicate with families?
Questions about Dowling Catholic High School
What grades does Dowling Catholic High School serve?
Dowling Catholic High School serves grades 9–12.
How many students attend Dowling Catholic High School?
About 1,354 students, with 15 students per teacher, according to official records.
How much is tuition at Dowling Catholic High School?
Call the school to ask about tuition, financial aid and payment plans. Iowa has programs that can help pay private school tuition; ask whether the school takes part.
Official record · Updated October 2026 · Official search · Something wrong? Tell us
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