#25 Best Private Elementary 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
2026 lists
Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Private schools in Iowa with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 119 schools.
#26 Best Private Elementary 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
#27 Best Private Elementary 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
#28 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Lutheran Interparish School
Lutheran (Missouri Synod) school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 64% of Christian schools in Iowa
Williamsburg, IA
A-Overall grade83 students9 students per teacher
#29 Best Private Elementary 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
#30 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Pathway Christian School
Mennonite school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 36% since 2011–12
Kalona, IA
A-Overall grade80 students8 students per teacher
#31 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Community Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 63% since 2011–12
Fort Dodge, IA
A-Overall grade83 students11 students per teacher
#32 Best Private Elementary 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
#33 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Ireton Christian Schools
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 19% since 2011–12
Ireton, IA
B+Overall grade70 students10 students per teacher
#34 Best Private Elementary 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
#35 Best Private Elementary 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
#36 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Sanborn Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 24% since 2011–12
Sanborn, IA
B+Overall grade103 students9 students per teacher
#37 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Clarinda Lutheran School
Lutheran (Missouri Synod) school · Grades K–8
Serving families in Clarinda since at least 2011
Clarinda, IA
B+Overall grade81 students9 students per teacher
#38 Best Private Elementary 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
#39 Best Private Elementary 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
#40 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Zion-St. John Lutheran School
Lutheran (Missouri Synod) school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Paullina since at least 2011
Paullina, IA
B+Overall grade66 students10 students per teacher
#41 Best Private Elementary 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
#42 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Newton Christian Day School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 37% since 2011–12
Newton, IA
B+Overall grade70 students10 students per teacher
#43 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
J. W. Reed Christian Academy
Religious school · Grades K–12
A private school in Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
B+Overall grade74 students9 students per teacher
#44 Best Private Elementary 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
#45 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Zion Lutheran School
Lutheran (Missouri Synod) school · Grades Pre-K–9
Serving families in Denison since at least 2011
Denison, IA
B+Overall grade73 students9 students per teacher
#46 Best Private Elementary 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
#47 Best Private Elementary 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
#48 Best Private Elementary Schools in Iowa
Souixland Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 233% since 2011–12
Sioux City, IA
B+Overall grade449 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.