#1 Best Private High 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 High Schools in Iowa
Private high schools in Iowa with the highest overall grades. Top 38 of 38 schools.
#2 Best Private High 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 High 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 High 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
#5 Best Private High 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
#6 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Hillcrest Academy
Mennonite school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 70% of Christian schools in Iowa
Kalona, IA
AOverall grade105 students7 students per teacher
#7 Best Private High 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
#8 Best Private High 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
#9 Best Private High 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
#10 Best Private High 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
#11 Best Private High 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
#12 Best Private High 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
#13 Best Private High 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
#14 Best Private High 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
#15 Best Private High 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
#16 Best Private High 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
#17 Best Private High 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
#18 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Marquette Catholic Schools PK-12
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–12
Serving families in Bellevue since at least 2011
Bellevue, IA
BOverall grade243 students12 students per teacher
#19 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Bosco Catholic School System
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 67% of Catholic schools in Iowa
Gilbertville, IA
BOverall grade299 students10 students per teacher
#20 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Xavier High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The largest Catholic school in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
BOverall grade593 students15 students per teacher
#21 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 71% of Catholic schools in Iowa
West Point, IA
BOverall grade319 students10 students per teacher
#22 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Prince of Peace Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Catholic school in Clinton
Clinton, IA
B-Overall grade214 students14 students per teacher
#23 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Cedar Valley Catholic School System
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest Catholic school in Waterloo
Waterloo, IA
B-Overall grade733 students13 students per teacher
#24 Best Private High Schools in Iowa
Beckman Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School
Diocesan school · Grades 7–12
Serving families in Dyersville since at least 2011
Dyersville, IA
B-Overall grade332 students14 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.