2024 Best Private High Schools in Iowa

• Fairfield, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.71 out of 5  95 reviews

Parent: My son was able to start in their Children’s House, with the Toddler class just after his 2nd birthday. I was nervous to send him off to school so early, but he absolutely loved it there! His vocabulary when he started was no more than a handful of words and within a couple of months he not only knew the names of every other student in his class, but he knew the names of teachers that were not even his own, and would say hello to them if we passed them in the grocery store, or just out and about in town! He learned so much in just the 5 months he spent there during the 2nd half of the 2022/2023 school year. He blew me away every day when I picked him up. He had always learned some new task, or phrase, and it has been wonderful seeing him nurtured and encouraged to become the person he is meant to be. His teachers were so kind and thoughtful and I never once had to worry that they didn’t love him like their own. I can’t say enough about how lucky I feel to have found MSAE.... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 156

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Bettendorf, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  58 reviews

Parent: We love Rivermont! For us there is no other school for our son. We love the value they place on social and emotional growth especially during the last few years. The school does a phenomenal job of honoring our child as an individual while maintaining a sense of community throughout the grades. We are so impressed with how they scaffold their education and spark collaborative learning which will be essential skills for work and life. To me, providing a safe and joyful learning environment is priceless and we are confident that’s what our child receives everyday at Rivermont.... Read 58 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 167

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• West Branch, IA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  41 reviews

Parent: What I love about Scattergood Friends School is the sense of Community and Support that I feel , whether going there as a parent for an event, or what I feel that my son gets from there ( that is so different from his public school experience). One can feel the Joy, Playfulness and Care/ Concern there AS WELL AS the indepth education, scholarly academics and pursuit of creating thoughtful, balanced citizens. If one questions the small size of the school, know that there is still quality educational experience because it allows for a more self-paced, independent thinkers and better support of a students goals. The emotional needs of students are addressed thru weekly reflective meditation ( Quaker meeting) as well as close ties to advisors. And since Quakers are generally mellow about doctrine , they provide for the spiritual side of people there without beng too religious. Overall a great school. Highly recommend it.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A

• Students 45

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• West Des Moines, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  249 reviews

Alum: I was able to receive an education that prepared me for college academics. My time there allowed me to foster friendship and grow in my faith, which I didn't appreciate until after graduation. The school provides realistic expectations and explores a variety of career paths for every individual, whether going to college or not. Starting freshman year, you create a resume and cover letter. In sophomore year, you start to think about your vocation in life and job shadow someone. Moving into junior year, those going to college do visits, scholarships, and focused evaluations on majors. Lastly, senior year is a very where they fully prepare you in your courses to move on to the next stage of life.... Read 249 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,391

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Iowa, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  89 reviews

Senior: Being a international student coming into this school, it created a environment that's safe and friendly for me. The teachers and staff all contribute to provide the best experience for everyone. They pushes you to do your best and become the best version of yourself. The administration is very well organized and provides weekly updates to the parents. Regina provides a wide variety of clubs and activities and the school community is very supportive at sporting events. The coaching staff are very experienced and the sport programs have very successful history. Cafeteria food is in need of improvement and lunch time are short, however, the basic nutrition need are met. Regina have a very good college readiness with the help from the counselor but visit with the counselor is limited due to the fact that we only have one counselor. Resources and facilities are all well maintained and provided with Indoor baseball/softball facility and newly built lifting room and wrestling room.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A

• Students 342

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Sioux City, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  84 reviews

Parent: This is an outstanding school and community! You will find seasoned, nurturing teachers and staff. There are lots of opportunities for growth and developement. At Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools our students are educated with a focus on strong academics, faith, activities, discipline and service to others. Your child will learn in a safe, supportive and caring environment. Our dedicated faculty members and committed parents support success in and outside the classroom.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A

• Students 496

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Storm Lake, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  12 reviews

Senior: The family atmosphere all throughout my years of education, from kindergarten to being a senior, has been absolutely phenomenal. They have advanced their resources for the kids as the years have gone by, giving them a better accessible chance to learn more. I have personally have little to none issues with people bullying one another, making it a safe and lovely environment. I started going here in kindergarten and couldn’t ask for a better education system to have. As you get to high school there is numerous opportunities for taking college courses. Therefore a student is set up for success leading to college. The only thing I’d say is lacking would be the communication and maturity of the staff sometimes.... Read 12 reviews

• grade A

• Students 263

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Cedar Rapids, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  218 reviews

Alum: Every teacher is invested in you. Not only are they invested in your academic success, they also invest in creating an environment that it safe for you to practice your own beliefs. Each day all teachers are able to help you with anything you are having trouble with and intertwined in it all is their push to help you grow in your faith life. No teacher gives up on you and no teacher holds grudges towards you, each day you come in to class you are greeted with a smile and a clean slate. Teachers are clear with deadlines and even willing to extend due dates when students struggle to understand the concept of the assigned task. Xavier High School does not only care about their athletes, it is a well rounded school with many talents from or music hall to our theater hall. Xavier also prepares you most for college as teachers grade students work with authenticity. While also grading with authenticity you are given constructive feedback for your work to improve. Overall, Xavier is amazing.... Read 218 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 635

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Davenport, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  120 reviews

Senior: Assumption High School gave me the best years of my life. The staff was overall very friendly and helpful. The courses were difficult but prepared us for college-level courses. We were required to take multiple college classes before graduating, so we could be a step above other schools; therefore, giving us an advantage. The school created a sense of community and family. The athletics department was excellent, the coaches were so helpful in each sport. Our teams achieve state-level status in almost every sport! Assumption gave me many experiences that I am thankful for.... Read 120 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 450

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Council Bluffs, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  32 reviews

Senior: Saint Albert High School's commitment to academic excellence also helped shape me into the person I am today. The rigorous curriculum and supportive teachers challenged me to push beyond my limits and to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that have proven invaluable in my personal and professional life. Finally, the friendships and relationships I developed at Saint Albert High School have had a profound impact on me. The school provided a safe and nurturing environment where I could build strong bonds with my peers and develop social skills that have helped me navigate the complexities of adult life. In conclusion, Saint Albert High School has played a vital role in shaping who I am today. Its emphasis on community, social responsibility, academic excellence, and relationships has helped me develop into a responsible, compassionate, and successful individual.... Read 32 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 562

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Kalona, IA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Junior: Hillcrest Academy has always held a place in my heart. My grandparents and mother all attended the school years before me and they paved a path for me to take. I decided to attend the small Christian school in 8th grade and have enjoyed the experience every since. The community surrounding the school is supportive and welcoming. The staff and faculty do a wonderful job at maintaining a welcoming, well educational building. I could not imagine going to any other high school.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 102

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.9 out of 5  20 reviews

Parent: Excellent! Our child was in another smaller private school in the area and it was not a good environment. WCS is so positive in all things. Our learning so much and has been built up to try new things . The school has standards but not so many the squash individuality. Sports are excellent. They also have band which the other school did not have. I wish we had switched sooner! I hope they can find a bigger place because the school is so positive many from other schools- private and public are switching to WCS! Best private school in the waterloo/cedar falls area!... Read 20 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Mason City, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  38 reviews

Parent: We have three children who attend Newman Catholic School. Like so many of us, each of our children have different strengths and different challenges. I have been so appreciative of Newman Catholic School because they have taken the time to 'know' each of our children and provided activities, resources, and opportunities for each to develop into confident and capable individuals. As we sent our oldest to college, there was no doubt that he would be successful. Newman Catholic helped him develop the communication skills and academic preparedness to shine at that next stage. Newman Catholic School has been a phenomenal community for our children and our entire family.... Read 38 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 609

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Des Moines, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  36 reviews

Senior: Grand View has an amazing sense of family with its students and teachers. The teachers always go out of their way to help students with anything they need. The best programs at Grand View would be theater, basketball, and their speech teams competition groups.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 270

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Mount Pleasant, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Senior: Mt. Pleasant Christian School is an amazing school. With small classes, the teachers are able to work better with each student indivually. Most students score extremly high on tests and exams because of this. The teachers expect a lot out of their students so they can see them succeed, but also strive to make class fun. When you walk into the school you know that the teachers truly care about their students. If you need, any of the teachers will talk with you about any issues you might be having with your friends, work, home life, or any other issue you might be facing. The school holds the students to a high standard of both accedemics and respect towards others, which makes fights and disagreements between students extremly rare. It is an overall amazing school that prepares students not only academiclly, but also prepares them to be respectful and considerate of others they will encounter outside of school. Teachers truly care for their student and help them succeed.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 67

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Urbandale, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  88 reviews

Senior: Des Moines Christian School is a place that I will always be thankful for. It has helped me grow in so many ways and provided me with amazing friends, mentors, and an amazing Christian education. This school is very intentional in relationships and helping students grow not only academic wise but as people. The teachers push us to be the best people that we can be, but also push us to be the best students we can be! I am so thankful for my highschool, and wouldn't trade my experience for the world!... Read 88 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,096

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Bettendorf, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.64 out of 5  22 reviews

Parent: We have just had our last child graduate from Morning Star. I am so thankful that we chose MSA and the sacrifices over the years have been so worth it! The care and concern that the staff has for the students well beyond their time there is amazing. Not only have our children been exposed to an incredible education, but the instructors have also invested in their lives and have shown a great desire to see them grow in the Lord as well as academically. Even when things have not been perfect - the situations have been handled with grace. The extra shifts and jobs to make it work for our children to be at MSA have been well worth it - we would do it all over again in a heartbeat!... Read 22 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 220

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Le Mars, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  25 reviews

Junior: I joined Gehlen Catholic my freshmen year. What I love about this school is the family feel it has to it. At Gehlen, teachers really care about you and your well being. I've had teachers individually email me checking in to see if I am doing alright after they've noticed I've had a bad day. The teachers and staff all know me by name and have a special bond with their students that I've never seen before. We are a tight knit community that puts God first. At Gehlen, I have formed a new and personal relationship with God. I've been taught so much I hadn't known before about Jesus and meanings of his teachings here on earth. The religion teachers are focused and hard-working on strengthening our faith and for that I am extremely grateful. I've been thinking for a while now about something I would want to see change in at Gehlen but I'm afraid I can't come up with anything. Gehlen is amazing and I wouldn't trade it for any other school.Gehlen is my family.... Read 25 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 509

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Cedar Falls, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: Valley Lutheran School is an amazing school. Our daughter, now an 8th Grader, was the very first Kindergarten class at Valley Lutheran School. She is absolutely and totally excited to be the very first class that will have attended Valley Lutheran School for K-12. There are a few students in his class that attended Pre K together at another school I the area. Our son, a current 4th grader, is doing marvelous. There are several students in this class that all attended Immanuel Lutheran Preschool together as well.... Read 9 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 143

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Ankeny, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  19 reviews

Senior: Ankeny Christian Academy welcomed me with a warm smile into their school. This excellent school helped me further my walk with God. It also enlightened me on how to build my own relationship with Him. I can tell from my previous public school that ACA is special and cares about their student's futures. The teachers try to make their student's days better and to help as much as they can. What I would change about in this school is the unclear grading, but they are very kind in explaining their thoughts to you. This school is, overall, a great school!... Read 19 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 412

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Gilbertville, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  61 reviews

Parent: Don Bosco is a true family environment. High value of ethics and performance, as it should be. No tolerance for bullying, drugs, over-clustered classrooms, and like distractions of the public schools. Most teachers take the time to know the students individually. Academic programs are good, could be more challenging from middle school up, many high schoolers lack 'common abilities' but that's national if you ask me. More true art instruction, philosophy, sociology, etc would be nice. Admin does an amazing job with what they're given & so does the support staff. The idea that priv schools have so much $ to throw around is a fallacy, they just manage it where it needs to be. The community and Boosters make this school an amazing environment and everyone do everything in their power to help its families! The volunteer work these students do REALLY making a difference and an impact on their attitudes! The can learn a lifetime lesson of giving back and paying it forward in society.... Read 61 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 299

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hull, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  41 reviews

Alum: Western Christian was an amazing place where I grew both academically, socially, and especially spiritually. I became more of a leader and was able to take more risks because of the people there that encouraged me and pushed me to grow. Also, everything I was involved in allowed me to grow and learn more about different skills and abilities I have as well. Great school!!... Read 41 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 271

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Dubuque, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  58 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed the atmosphere at Wahlert Catholic High School! The teachers and staff were great at helping students; however, some of the students weren't the nicest people. Besides a few bad apples, I received a great education from Wahlert. The Catholic school education taught me how to be a good person and an even better student. The small class sizes and the block schedule allowed for an in-depth education. The honors and AP teachers prepared me pretty well for tests and college life. Overall, I highly recommend Wahlert's private education, and I am so grateful to have received a Wahlert education.... Read 58 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 482

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Council Bluffs, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: We love the education our children have received at Heartland Christian School. This is the only school for us.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 253

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Orange City, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  59 reviews

Senior: I love the community you are surrounded with. It is located in a small town in Iowa. It is filled with people of dutch heritage that allows you to enjoy the tulip festival each year. There are many surrounding churches, so you are surrounded by many others that love God and show kindness when you are in need. I would like to see more update facilities, but luckily the school is building a new wing with new ag, science, and sports facilities.... Read 59 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 263

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1