#1 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Maharishi School
Alternative school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Fairfield, IA
A+Overall grade125 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Iowa
Private schools in Iowa with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 134 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Rivermont Collegiate
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Bettendorf
Bettendorf, IA
A+Overall grade145 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Burlington Notre Dame
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 90% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Burlington, IA
A+Overall grade395 students8 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Joshua Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
One of the most diverse private schools in Iowa
Des Moines, IA
A+Overall grade199 students8 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Mary's School
Diocesan school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 95% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Storm Lake, IA
A+Overall grade103 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Sacred Heart School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 72% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Sioux City, IA
A+Overall grade333 students9 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Patrick School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 78% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Perry, IA
A+Overall grade93 students8 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Lasalle Catholic Middle School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
A+Overall grade341 students10 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta
Diocesan school · Grades 6–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Waterloo
Waterloo, IA
A+Overall grade175 students11 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Bishop Garrigan Campus
Diocesan school · Grades K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Algona, IA
A+Overall grade399 students10 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. James School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 87% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Washington, IA
A+Overall grade85 students7 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Patrick Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 67% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA
A+Overall grade176 students10 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Harvest Baptist School
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any Christian school in Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, IA
A+Overall grade66 students5 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Sacred Heart School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 84% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Boone, IA
A+Overall grade78 students8 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Mater Dei School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–4
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Sioux City
Sioux City, IA
A+Overall grade130 students9 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Joseph Community School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of Catholic schools in Iowa
New Hampton, IA
A+Overall grade74 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Francis Xavier Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–6
Serving families in Dyersville since at least 2011
Dyersville, IA
A+Overall grade277 students12 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in Iowa
All Saints Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–5
Serving families in Cedar Rapids since at least 2011
Cedar Rapids, IA
AOverall grade114 students12 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Sheldon Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 69% of Christian schools in Iowa
Sheldon, IA
AOverall grade96 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Edward School
Diocesan school · Grades K–5
One of the most diverse private schools in Iowa
Waterloo, IA
AOverall grade321 students12 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Athanasius School
Independent Catholic school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 88% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Jesup, IA
AOverall grade75 students7 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Iowa
St. Thomas Aquinas School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 81% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Webster City, IA
AOverall grade79 students8 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Shelby County Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 79% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Harlan, IA
AOverall grade81 students8 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in Iowa
Ottumwa Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 41% since 2011–12
Ottumwa, IA
AOverall grade97 students8 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.