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.

Top 5 Best Iowa Blue Ribbon Private Elementary Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 8 blue ribbon private elementary schools serving 3,595 students in Iowa.
The top ranked blue ribbon private elementary schools in Iowa include Lourdes Catholic School, Newman Catholic School, and Pella Christian Grade School.
The average acceptance rate is 91%, which is higher than the Iowa private elementary school average acceptance rate of 85%.
100% of blue ribbon private elementary 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 Elementary Schools (2025)

School
Location
Students
Year
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
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 elementary schools in Iowa?
The top ranked blue ribbon private elementary schools in Iowa include Lourdes Catholic School, Newman Catholic School, and Pella Christian Grade School.
How many blue ribbon private elementary schools are located in Iowa?
8 blue ribbon private elementary schools are located in Iowa.
How diverse are blue ribbon private elementary schools in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon private elementary schools are approximately 9% minority students, which is lower than the Iowa private school average of 15%.
What percentage of blue ribbon private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Iowa?
100% of blue ribbon private elementary schools in Iowa are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Other).

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