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 85%.
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
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
1,389 students
Year: 2003
1453 Mississippi Blvd
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-3466
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-3466
357 students
Year: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
2445 19th St Sw
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6939
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 423-6939
628 students
Year: n/a
216 Liberty Street
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-2414
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-2414
549 students
Year: 1993, 1994
St. Augustin Catholic School
(Catholic)
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
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
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
728 students
Year: 2014, 2020
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
487 students
Year: 2011
St. Columbkille School
(Catholic)
1198 Rush Street
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 582-3532
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%.
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