Private Schools in
Iowa
- White
- Black
- Hisp.
- Asian Am.
- Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
- Haw. / Pac. Isl.
- Multi.
- Not spec.
- Private Schools
- Public Schools
Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)
Religious Orientation
Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.
| Religious Orientation | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | 107 | |
| Christian | 35 | |
| Nonsectarian | 22 | |
| Lutheran | 19 | |
| Other | 13 |
School Type
School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.
| School Type | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Regular elementary or secondary | 197 | |
| Special program emphasis | 6 | |
| Montessori | 5 | |
| Early childhood/day care center | 4 | |
| Special education | 2 |
Private Schools in Iowa
There are 214 private schools in Iowa that have responded to at least one of the past three Private School Surveys.
| School | Grades | Religion | Enrollment | Mostly … | Racial Difference* | Teachers | Founded | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Omega Academy | KG–12th | Other | 3,412 | White | 3% | 75 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,447 | White | 27% | 120 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Dowling Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,389 | White | 13% | 90 | 1918 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Kuemper Grade School Pk-8 Grades | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,090 | White | 0% | 85 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Kuemper Catholic Grade School | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 1,066 | White | 9% | 100 | 1952 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Holy Family Catholic Schools | PK–12th | Other | 1,018 | White | 12% | 81 | Special program emphasis | |
| Des Moines Christian School | PK–12th | Christian | 997 | White | 22% | 93 | 1983 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Regina Catholic Education Center | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 823 | White | 13% | 69 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| St. Francis of Assisi School | PK–8th | Roman Catholic | 659 | White | 14% | 41 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Grand View Christian School | PK–12th | Other | 643 | White | -3% | 39 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Xavier High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 600 | White | 29% | 41 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| St. Albert Catholic | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 556 | White | 3% | 41 | 1964 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Newman Catholic | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 554 | White | 12% | 35 | 1888 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| St. Edmond Catholic School | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 548 | White | 20% | 44 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Sioux Center Christian School | KG–8th | Calvinist | 527 | White | 44% | 43 | 1905 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Bishop Heelan Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 499 | White | 27% | 37 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Gehlen Catholic School | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 488 | White | 12% | 42 | Regular elementary or secondary | |
| Wahlert Catholic High School | 9th–12th | Roman Catholic | 482 | White | 15% | 35 | 1959 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Sacred Heart School | KG–8th | Roman Catholic | 481 | White | 33% | 32 | 1953 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Pella Christian Grade School | PK–8th | Other | 447 | White | 6% | 46 | 1912 | Special program emphasis |
| Ankeny Christian Academy | PK–12th | Christian | 429 | White | -2% | 30 | 1993 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Netherlands Reformed Christian School | PK–12th | Calvinist | 406 | White | 42% | 31 | 1980 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Burlington Notre Dame | PK–12th | Roman Catholic | 400 | White | 27% | 30 | 1840 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| Beckman Catholic Jr-Sr High School | 7th–12th | Roman Catholic | 375 | White | 2% | 25 | 1966 | Regular elementary or secondary |
| St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School | PK–8th | Roman Catholic | 356 | White | 28% | 29 | 1925 | Regular elementary or secondary |
* About racial difference
School Districts in Iowa (327)
* About racial difference
About This Data
Where is this data from?
Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.
What schools are included?
Why are private schools listed under public school districts?
What changes has ProPublica made?
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