#25 Best Private 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
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Iowa
Private schools in Iowa with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 134 schools.
#26 Best Private 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
#27 Best Private 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
#28 Best Private 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
#29 Best Private 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
#30 Best Private 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
#31 Best Private 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
#32 Best Private 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
#33 Best Private 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
#34 Best Private 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
#35 Best Private 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
#36 Best Private 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
#37 Best Private 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
#38 Best Private 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
#39 Best Private 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
#40 Best Private 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
#41 Best Private 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
#42 Best Private 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
#43 Best Private 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
#44 Best Private 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
#45 Best Private 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
#46 Best Private 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
#47 Best Private 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
#48 Best Private 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
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.