#25 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Cecilia Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 60% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Ames, IA
A-Overall grade115 students10 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Iowa. Top 50 of 83 schools.
#26 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Dowling Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in West Des Moines
West Des Moines, IA
A-Overall grade1,354 students15 students per teacher
#27 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Lourdes Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Bettendorf
Bettendorf, IA
A-Overall grade252 students12 students per teacher
#28 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Benedict School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Decorah
Decorah, IA
A-Overall grade145 students10 students per teacher
#29 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Aquin Catholic Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 72% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Cascade, IA
B+Overall grade186 students9 students per teacher
#30 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Johns School
Parish school · Grades K–8
Serving families in Independence since at least 2011
Independence, IA
B+Overall grade131 students11 students per teacher
#31 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Cathedral Dual Language Academy
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–4
Smaller classes than 64% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Sioux City, IA
B+Overall grade67 students10 students per teacher
#32 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Anthony Elementary School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 25% since 2011–12
Des Moines, IA
B+Overall grade345 students14 students per teacher
#33 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Holy Trinity
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
B+Overall grade358 students13 students per teacher
#34 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Regina Catholic Education Center Jr/Sr High
Diocesan school · Grades 7–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Iowa City, IA
B+Overall grade400 students16 students per teacher
#35 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Mary's School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 81% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Remsen, IA
B+Overall grade195 students9 students per teacher
#36 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Immaculate Conception School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–6
Serving families in Charles City since at least 2011
Charles City, IA
B+Overall grade172 students13 students per teacher
#37 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Matthew School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–5
Serving families in Cedar Rapids since at least 2011
Cedar Rapids, IA
B+Overall grade206 students13 students per teacher
#38 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Seton Grade School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–2
Serving families in Algona since at least 2011
Algona, IA
B+Overall grade103 students12 students per teacher
#39 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Gehlen Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Le Mars, IA
B+Overall grade496 students12 students per teacher
#40 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Theresa Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Des Moines since at least 2011
Des Moines, IA
B+Overall grade221 students13 students per teacher
#41 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Lasalle Catholic Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–4
One of 7 Catholic schools in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
B+Overall grade190 students12 students per teacher
#42 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest Catholic schools in Iowa
Sioux City, IA
BOverall grade1,510 students13 students per teacher
#43 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Cedar Valley Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest Catholic school in Waterloo
Waterloo, IA
BOverall grade733 students13 students per teacher
#44 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Notre Dame Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–5
Serving families in Cresco since at least 2011
Cresco, IA
BOverall grade118 students12 students per teacher
#45 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
Seton Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
Serving families in Farley since at least 2011
Farley, IA
BOverall grade271 students12 students per teacher
#46 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Joseph Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in De Witt since at least 2011
De Witt, IA
BOverall grade151 students12 students per teacher
#47 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Mary Elementary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 81% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Remsen, IA
BOverall grade194 students9 students per teacher
#48 Best Catholic Schools in Iowa
St. Mary School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–6
A Catholic school in Humboldt
Humboldt, IA
BOverall grade134 students11 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.