Newman Catholic School Photo

Top 5 Best Iowa Blue Ribbon Private Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 10 blue ribbon private schools serving 5,286 students in Iowa.
The top ranked blue ribbon private schools in Iowa include Dowling Catholic High School, Pella Christian High School, and Lourdes Catholic School.
The average acceptance rate is 91%, which is higher than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 86%.
100% of blue ribbon private schools in Iowa are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).
Blue Ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.

Top Ranked Iowa Blue Ribbon Private Schools (2025)

School
Location
Students
Year
Dowling Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1400 Buffalo Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
1,389 students
Year: 2003
Lourdes Catholic School
Lourdes Catholic School Photo
(Catholic)
(3)
1453 Mississippi Blvd
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-3466
357 students
Year: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Newman Catholic School
Newman Catholic School Photo
(Catholic)
(1)
2445 19th St Sw
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6939
628 students
Year: n/a
Pella Christian Grade School
Pella Christian Grade School Photo - Pella Christian Grade School is located in the heart of beautiful downtown Pella, Iowa.
Special Program Emphasis
(2)
216 Liberty Street
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-2414
549 students
Year: 1993, 1994
300 Eagle Ln
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4440
302 students
Year: n/a
St. Augustin Catholic School
(Catholic)
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
282 students
Year: 2004
St. Francis Of Assisi School
(Catholic)
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
728 students
Year: 2014, 2020
1007 E Rusholme Street
Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 322-2923
487 students
Year: 2011
Resurrection School
(Catholic)
4320 Asbury Rd
Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 583-9488
279 students
Year: 2018
St. Columbkille School
(Catholic)
1198 Rush Street
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 582-3532
285 students
Year: 2011

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked blue ribbon private schools in Iowa?
The top ranked blue ribbon private schools in Iowa include Dowling Catholic High School, Pella Christian High School, and Lourdes Catholic School.
How many blue ribbon private schools are located in Iowa?
10 blue ribbon private schools are located in Iowa.
How diverse are blue ribbon private schools in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon private schools are approximately 14% minority students, which is lower than the Iowa private school average of 16%.
What percentage of blue ribbon private schools are religiously affiliated in Iowa?
100% of blue ribbon private schools in Iowa are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).

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