2023 Best NCEA Schools in Iowa

• West Des Moines, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  245 reviews

Junior: I have had a great experience at Dowling so far. They have so many ways to get involved including many different clubs and groups. Most teachers care about each student and their education, and I have had many teachers use their free time to help me in their classes. Dowling holds all of their students to a high standard. Personally, I enjoy the dress code because it takes away the possibility for bullying based on clothes. There are many different classes you can take here at Dowling, choosing what courses you would like to advance your studies in. Overall, my experience at Dowling has been great; I've made friends, learned study habits, joined clubs and groups, and I feel very well prepared for college!... Read 245 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,391

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• 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 541

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Storm Lake, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  11 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 11 reviews

• grade A

• Students 285

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• 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

• Students 609

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Iowa, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  88 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 88 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 920

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Cedar Rapids, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  216 reviews

Senior: I truly love to Xavier and everything about it. The teachers and staff are wonderful and try their best to make Xavier feel like a second home. The teachers and staff at Xavier push you harder than you’ve ever been pushed before, because the want you to succeed. The classes can be very challenging but they are challenging so that students continue to be interested and push themselves. It is a great environment to send your kids to!... Read 216 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 662

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• 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 A minus

• Students 509

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• 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 A minus

• Students 521

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Burlington, IA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: I had a very positive experience at Burlington Notre Dame. I had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of clubs, organizations, sports, and leadership opportunities. The faculty and staff were very caring, encouraging, and supportive.... Read 13 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 473

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Bellevue, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.71 out of 5  28 reviews

Senior: Marquette provides its students with many opportunities to connect with their teachers, devolp a strong connection to their faith, and form morals that will last a lifetime. With Marquette's low enrollment rate, it allows all students to know each other on a personal level. There is never a face walking down the hall that you do not know. The only downside to this is sports are not always successful, and sometimes there are not enough people to even have a sports team. Another issue with Marquette's low numbers is the lack of diversity. The school is primarily made up of caucasion male and females amoung teachers and students, which is attributed to the lack of diversity in Bellevue, the town Marquette is located in. Although Marquette is not perfect like any school, Marquette provides its students with educational excellence, and many deep relationships that will last a lifetime; your classmates and teachers truly do become your family.... Read 28 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 236

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Fort Dodge, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  76 reviews

Alum: So many positive changes have occurred in the past 5 years thanks to strong leadership. The curriculum has been updated, staff is held accountable, the cleanliness of the school and grounds has dramatically improved and it seems to be financially in good shape. Go Gaels!... Read 76 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 672

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Fort Madison, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  20 reviews

Senior: Several of people would think Holy Trinity Catholic is a good school, and it is. I've had many great experiences here. Although I went here from 4th through 8th grade, I really enjoyed it. Throughout the time I was there, there was an amazing environment with everything. Volleyball was outstanding and seeing everyone at the games and even going to see the girls go to state was huge. Many other things that popped out as well such as the academics and teachers. They gave homework but I felt like it helped me understand the material that we were doing because it would be like practice. They also supported you and guided you with any help that was needed when you struggled or had any kind of question. Along with that I am glad to say I had a very good experience and I'm coming back for my senior year.... Read 20 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 315

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Algona, IA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  15 reviews

Senior: I believe that this school is very good. I used to go to a public school, but once I transferred over to this private school I saw a lot of change in my academics. The teachers here are amazing and will take the time to help you with anything you may be struggling with. Transferring from a public school to a private, there were many different changes, especially academic wise. Academics here are a lot more advanced than what I experienced at the public schools I had gone to. I would recommend this school to anyone with an interest and are looking to better their education.... Read 15 reviews

• grade B

• Students 230

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Council Bluffs, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  31 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 31 reviews

• grade B

• Students 703

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Remsen, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.18 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: Remsen St. Mary's Schools is ONLY choice for our family! My children are blessed each day with a faith based education surrounded by a family. The teachers challenge the student to reach for the stars and prepare them for their future! We LOVE RSM!!!... Read 11 reviews

• grade B

• Students 70

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Dyersville, IA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  97 reviews

Parent: The school provides a high-quality education, top notch athletics, superior ag, and FFA programs. They offer many Dual Credit, AP courses, school to work options, as well as fine art, and music courses. Beckman Catholic is helping to build strong character, and compassionate faith-filled students. The teachers go above and beyond to help the kids that need extra time. The end of the day is Blazer Time. During Blazer Time students are allowed to get extra help on areas they may struggle with from supportive teachers. Students are not just friends and classmates, they are family!... Read 97 reviews

• grade B

• Students 380

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Waterloo, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  51 reviews

Alum: I am proud to be a graduate of Columbus Catholic High School. While Columbus certainly is not perfect, there’s a number of factors that still make it a great place to be. While there a couple of teachers that are completely terrible, there a more teachers that are phenomenal, both as educators and as people. They teach invaluable information about academics, life, and Christ, and they helped me grow in many ways. As far as the facilities, clubs, etc, the school is changing and improving every year, so while it may not be great at the moment, it’s definitely getting better. Christ is an integral part of school life, and the community is incredibly close-knit. Your class becomes like your family, and the school helps facilitate those relationships. Columbus has a lot of work to do, but it’s still a great place to learn and worship in. Plus the food is awesome, so that’s a positive!... Read 51 reviews

• grade B

• Students 287

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Clinton, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  26 reviews

Senior: Overall, a net positive experience. Small class sizes mean there's a lot of one-on-one time with teachers. The small classes also create a strong bond with classmates that's likely to outlive your time at the school. The dress code isn't for everyone, though.... Read 26 reviews

• grade B

• Students 284

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Carroll, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  36 reviews

Senior: I attended Kuemper Catholic School starting as a kindergartener, and will graduate from Kuemper as well. I am thankful for the Catholic education provided and for the way that the curriculum prepared me for college and for my future.... Read 36 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,159

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• 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 minus

• Students 333

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Dyersville, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-6

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: We in Dyersville are blessed to have St. Francis Xavier School for our kids and our community. The longevity of the teachers and the testing results speaks volumes to the school. During COVID, St. Francis Xavier never closed. They worked to keep the kids and teachers safe... but EDUCATION was the first mission. Our test results blow away the average for State / Federal comparisons. having put six children through St. Francis Xavier... we could not have been happier with the results!... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• West Des Moines, IA•

• Private School•

• K-8

• grade unavailable

• Students 643

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• West Des Moines, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: As a previous student of Sacred Heart, I am eager to say that my education has carried me far. I graduated from Dowling High School with above a 3.9 GPA and I am currently an undergraduate student at Grand View University with above a 3.9 GPA. I can accredit much of my learning skills and abilities to Sacred Heart teachers, staff, and administration.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 591

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Davenport, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: St. Paul the Apostle is a fantastic school! The teachers and staff are the best and really care about the students and their success. The academics are top notch as are the extracurricular activities. The students graduate more than prepared for high school and beyond. Christian values are taught, and it really shows with how the students behave and interact with each other. This is the best school and I would highly recommend it to anyone!... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 483

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Cedar Rapids, IA•

• Private School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Ugh, where to begin! I have SO MANY positive things to say about LaSalle Catholic School. After moving to Cedar Rapids in 2018, my family and I were not impressed with Cedar Rapids public school district (not that there’s anything wrong with it, it just didn’t fit our family’s values and needs), we took a chance and toured the elementary school for our young daughter.. and the rest is history! We’ve been here since then and love everything about this school. From the teachers, the teaching curriculums, and even to the safety that I feel while sending my child to school in the era of COVID-19, everything is perfect. We love LaSalle Catholic School!... Read 4 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 480

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1