For the 2026 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 Pella Christian High School, Pella Christian Grade School, and Lourdes Catholic School.
The average acceptance rate is 91%, which is higher than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 86%.
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 (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Dowling Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1400 Buffalo Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
Gr: 9-12 | 1,389 student Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 20 Blue Ribbon year: 2003 Tuition listed
1453 Mississippi Blvd
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-3466
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-3466
Gr: PK-8 | 357 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 9 Blue Ribbon year: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
2445 19th St Sw
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6939
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6939
Gr: K-12 | 628 students Avg. class size: 39 students Sports: 17 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
216 Liberty Street
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-2414
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-2414
Gr: PK-8 | 549 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 8 Blue Ribbon year: 1993, 1994 Tuition listed
300 Eagle Ln
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4440
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4440
Gr: 9-12 | 302 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
St. Augustin Catholic School
(Catholic)
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
Gr: PK-8 | 282 students Avg. class size: 26 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 3 Blue Ribbon year: 2004 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Francis Of Assisi School
(Catholic)
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
Gr: PK-8 | 728 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 4 Blue Ribbon year: 2014, 2020 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School![St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School Photo - STREAM is an expansion of STEM. It is an acronym for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Math. As Catholic schools, our mission is to educate the whole child; therefore, STREAM education has taken the principles of STEM infused religion across all subjects and added the arts to provide students the creative thinking skills necessary to communicate.]( "St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School Photo - STREAM is an expansion of STEM. It is an acronym for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Math. As Catholic schools, our mission is to educate the whole child; therefore, STREAM education has taken the principles of STEM infused religion across all subjects and added the arts to provide students the creative thinking skills necessary to communicate.")
(Catholic)
1007 E Rusholme Street
Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 322-2923
Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 322-2923
Gr: PK-8 | 487 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 8 Blue Ribbon year: 2011 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Resurrection School
(Catholic)
4320 Asbury Rd
Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 583-9488
Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 583-9488
Gr: NS-5 | 279 students Blue Ribbon year: 2018 Tuition listed
St. Columbkille School
(Catholic)
1198 Rush Street
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 582-3532
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 582-3532
Gr: K-5 | 285 students Avg. class size: 20 students Blue Ribbon year: 2011 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon private schools in Iowa?
The top-ranked blue ribbon private schools in Iowa include Pella Christian High School, Pella Christian Grade 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%.
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