Best Des Moines County Private High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 3 private high schools serving 1,010 students in Des Moines County, IA.
The top-ranked private high schools in Des Moines County, IA include Great River Christian School, Burlington Notre Dame, and Burlington Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School.
The average acceptance rate is 100%, which is higher than the Iowa private high school average acceptance rate of 82%.
100% of private high schools in Des Moines County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Des Moines County Private High Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Burlington Notre Dame
(Catholic)
700 S Roosevelt Ave
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 754-8431
Gr: PK-12 | 431 students Acceptance rate listed
702 S Roosevelt Ave
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 754-8431
Gr: PK-12 | 461 students
Great River Christian School
(Christian)
426 Harrison Ave
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2255
Gr: PK-12 | 118 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed

Overview

This County (Des Moines County)
This State (IA)
# Schools
3 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
1,010 Students
25,939 Students
% Average Students of Color
19%
14%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
75 Teachers
2,346 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
48%
Average Class Size
8 students
17 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average % on Financial Aid
5%
40%
Average Acceptance Rate
100%
82%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.46
0.38
# American Indian Students
n/a
68 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
29 Students
568 Students
% Asian Students
3%
2%
# Hispanic Students
18 Students
1,533 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
6%
# Black Students
19 Students
880 Students
% Black Students
2%
4%
# White Students
708 Students
20,185 Students
% White Students
70%
78%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
45 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
236 Students
2,577 Students
% of Others Students
23%
10%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
2 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
1 sports
9 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private high schools in Des Moines County, IA?
The top-ranked private high schools in Des Moines County, IA include Great River Christian School, Burlington Notre Dame, and Burlington Notre Dame Junior/Senior High School.
How many private high schools are located in Des Moines County?
3 private high schools are located in Des Moines County.
What percentage of private high schools are religiously affiliated in Des Moines County?
100% of private high schools in Des Moines County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private high schools in Des Moines County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private high schools in Des Moines County include: Burlington Notre Dame vs. Great River Christian School, Great River Christian School vs. Burlington Notre Dame

Recent Articles

Free Private Schools & Voucher Programs in 2025
Free Private Schools & Voucher Programs in 2025
Updated guide to free private schools and school voucher programs, 2025 policies, costs, equity issues, and how families access tuition support.
Social Emotional Learning 2025: Policy, Practice and Outcomes
Social Emotional Learning 2025: Policy, Practice and Outcomes
Updated 2025 review of social emotional learning in schools, research outcomes, key trends, challenges and future paths for parents and educators.
Private School Admissions for Siblings: Costs and Timing
Private School Admissions for Siblings: Costs and Timing
Learn how private school admissions for siblings affect costs, discounts, and timing strategies for families planning multiple enrollments.

Quick Links