2024 Best Private Schools in Black Hawk County

• 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

• Cedar Falls, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  10 reviews

Junior: Overall, Valley excels academically, but fails athletically. Athletics are not major or a focus and we usually do not win many games or championships. However, the teachers are very kind and typically able to teach well and explain the subjects well.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 143

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• 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

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  53 reviews

Sophomore: The best things about Columbus Catholic School is the way we students are greeted by students every day. The teachers there make us feel welcome and safe. The teachers also make sure we don’t fail and want us to sail for success. The worst things about Columbus Catholic School could be the food to be honest. It could be a lot better. I also want more money to go towards the school, so it 100% feels better and feel like paying to go a private school is worth it.... Read 53 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,018

• Student-teacher ratio 52:1

• Cedar Falls, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We looked at other private and public schools in Cedar Falls. We choose St. Patrick's because of the smaller class size (about 30 in a grade, in two classrooms), because of all they offer despite their smaller size, their community involement, and their emphasis on diversity, including offering ESL teaching. In addition, we like that while they are affliated with the Catholic church, there are students of other faiths, and unlike other private schools, they are not interested in pushing religion on students. The school seems more guided by general kindness principles of Christianity (and they use the 7 Habits routinely in the curriculum) than strict religious doctrine. Something we, and maybe its a generational thing, appreciate. I would say their main mission is high academics and teaching kids how to be kind humans. The students are just nice. Bullying has never been an issue, and I ask my children often about how kids treat each other at school. Best private option by far!... Read 2 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 277

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Preschool

• grade unavailable

• Students 270

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Gilbertville, IA•

• Private School•

• K-8

• grade unavailable

• Students 223

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-5

• grade unavailable

• Students 220

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• 6-8

• grade unavailable

• Students 214

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-5

• grade unavailable

• Students 140

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-5

• grade unavailable

• Students 90

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-4

• grade unavailable

• Students 43

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• K-7

• grade unavailable

• Students 25

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Preschool

• grade unavailable

• Students 11

• Student-teacher ratio —