#1 Best Catholic 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
2026 lists
Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Iowa. Top 50 of 83 schools.
#2 Best Catholic 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
#3 Best Catholic 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
#4 Best Catholic 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
#5 Best Catholic 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
#6 Best Catholic 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
#7 Best Catholic 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
#8 Best Catholic 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
#9 Best Catholic 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
#10 Best Catholic 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
#11 Best Catholic 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
#12 Best Catholic 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
#13 Best Catholic 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
#14 Best Catholic 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
#15 Best Catholic 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
#16 Best Catholic 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
#17 Best Catholic 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
#18 Best Catholic 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
#19 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Emmetsburg Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 69% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Emmetsburg, IA
AOverall grade78 students9 students per teacher
#20 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Edmond Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Fort Dodge, IA
AOverall grade548 students11 students per teacher
#21 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Joseph Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of the most diverse private schools in Iowa
Des Moines, IA
AOverall grade201 students13 students per teacher
#22 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Bishop Heelan Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
96% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Sioux City, IA
A-Overall grade527 students14 students per teacher
#23 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Malachy School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 70% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Creston, IA
A-Overall grade137 students9 students per teacher
#24 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Holy Trinity Catholic Schools
Diocesan school · Grades 7–12
Smaller classes than 90% of Catholic schools nationwide
Fort Madison, IA
A-Overall grade112 students7 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.