Private School Review - Established 2003
Morning Star Academy Top 3 · Lowest Acceptance Rate (IA)
Scattergood Friends School Top 3 · Highest Avg. SAT Score (IA)
Maharishi School Top 3 · Highest Avg. SAT Score (IA)

Most Selective Private High Schools in Iowa

The average private high school acceptance rate in Iowa is 85% per year (2026-27).
The most selective school in Iowa is Morning Star Academy, with an acceptance rate of 42%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # IA Schools Ranked: 19
  • Top 20 Range (Acceptance Rate): 42%–100%
  • IA School Avg.: 85%
  • National School Avg.: 84%

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # IA Schools Ranked: 19
  • Top 20 Range (Acceptance Rate): 42%–100%
  • IA School Avg.: 85%
  • National School Avg.: 84%
Show school map — Iowa (acceptance rate range: 42%–100%, avg 85%)
Acceptance Rate Range: 42% 100% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 85%

Most Selective Private High Schools in Iowa (2026-27)

Showing 19 schools
Morning Star Academy Photo
#1Morning Star Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 220 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Sports: 2 | Extracurriculars: 1
Christian
1426 Tanglefoot Ln
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-5700
(2)
42%acceptance rate
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Scattergood Friends School Photo
#2Scattergood Friends School
Gr: 6-12 | 39 students
Avg. class size: 8 students
Sports: 3
Friends
1951 Delta Ave
West Branch, IA 52358
(319) 519-1860
57%acceptance rate
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Map of Cedar Ridge Christian School
#3Cedar Ridge Christian School
Gr: K-12 | 364 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 8
Christian
1015 S. Division Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 235-9309
60%acceptance rate
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Maharishi School Photo
#4Maharishi School
Gr: PK-12 | 173 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Sports: 7 | Extracurriculars: 9
Specialized Curriculum
804 Dr Robert Keith Wallace Drive
Fairfield, IA 52556
(641) 472-9400
(3)
70%acceptance rate
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Marquette Catholic Schools Pk-12 Photo
#5Marquette Catholic Schools Pk-12
Gr: K-12 | 257 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 12 | Extracurriculars: 17
Catholic
502 Franklin St
Bellevue, IA 52031
(563) 872-3356
(1)
75%acceptance rate
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Rivermont Collegiate Photo
#6Rivermont Collegiate
Gr: PK-12 | 117 students
Avg. class size: 7 students
Sports: 8 | Extracurriculars: 9
1821 Sunset Dr
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-1366
80%acceptance rate
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Map of Siouxland Christian School
#7Siouxland Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 341 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 7
6000 Gordon Drive
Sioux City, IA 51106
(712) 276-4732
85%acceptance rate
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Ankeny Christian Academy Photo
#8(T8–T10)Ankeny Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 509 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 4
Christian
1604 West 1st St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-8114
90%acceptance rate
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Bishop Heelan Catholic High School Photo
#8(T8–T10)Bishop Heelan Catholic High School
Gr: 9-12 | 499 students
Sports: 13 | Extracurriculars: 24
Catholic
1021 Douglas St
Sioux City, IA 51105
(712) 252-0573
90%acceptance rate
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Iowa Conservatory Photo
#8(T8–T10)Iowa Conservatory
Gr: 8-12 | 50 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Sports: 1
Specialized Curriculum
123 N. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 804-5943
90%acceptance rate
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Prince Of Peace Catholic School Photo
#11(T11–T13)Prince Of Peace Catholic School
Gr: K-12 | 189 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 13 | Extracurriculars: 8
Catholic
312 S 4th St
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 242-1663
95%acceptance rate
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St. Albert Catholic Photo
#11(T11–T13)St. Albert Catholic
Gr: PK-12 | 675 students
Avg. class size: 22 students
Sports: 14
Catholic
400 Gleason Ave
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 328-2316
95%acceptance rate
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Map of Western Christian High School
#11(T11–T13)Western Christian High School
Gr: 9-12 | 285 students
Avg. class size: 25 students
Sports: 12
Christian
925 5th St
Hull, IA 51239
(712) 439-1013
95%acceptance rate
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Hillcrest Academy Photo
#14Hillcrest Academy
Gr: 6-12 | 197 students
Avg. class size: 10 students
Sports: 14 | Extracurriculars: 14
Mennonite
1421 540th Street SW
Kalona, IA 52247
(319) 656-2073
(3)
98%acceptance rate
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Map of Bishop Garrigan Campus
#15(T15–T19)Bishop Garrigan Campus
Gr: 3-12 | 253 students
Catholic
1224 N Mccoy St
Algona, IA 50511
(515) 295-3521
100%acceptance rate
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Map of Burlington Notre Dame
#15(T15–T19)Burlington Notre Dame
Gr: PK-12 | 431 students
Catholic
700 S Roosevelt Ave
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 754-8431
100%acceptance rate
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Map of Holy Trinity Catholic Schools
#15(T15–T19)Holy Trinity Catholic Schools
Gr: K-12 | 313 students
Catholic
2600 Avenue A
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-2486
100%acceptance rate
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Isaac Newton Christian Academy Photo
#15(T15–T19)Isaac Newton Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 422 students
Sports: 9 | Extracurriculars: 7
Christian
1635 Linmar Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 362-9512
(7)
100%acceptance rate
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Map of Xavier High School
#15(T15–T19)Xavier High School
Gr: 9-12 | 610 students
Avg. class size: 25 students
Sports: 17 | Extracurriculars: 23
Catholic
6300 42nd Street Ne
Cedar Rapids, IA 52411
(319) 294-6635
100%acceptance rate
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Iowa average private high schools acceptance rate?
The Iowa average private high schools acceptance rate is 85% for 2026-27.
What are the most selective private high schools in Iowa?
The top ranked private high schools in Iowa include Morning Star Academy, Scattergood Friends School and Cedar Ridge Christian School.

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