Private School Review - Established 2003

Best Palo Alto County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there is 1 private school serving 111 students in Palo Alto County, IA (there are 10 public schools, serving 1,508 public students). 7% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
100% of private schools in Palo Alto County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).

Quick Facts (2026)

Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked Palo Alto County Private Schools (2026)

Map of Emmetsburg Catholic School
Emmetsburg Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 111 students
Catholic
1903 Broadway St
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-3464
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[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Palo Alto County, Iowa

Palo Alto County Private Schools (Closed)

Map of Ss Peter & Paul School
Ss Peter & Paul School
Gr: K-6 | 46 students
Catholic
Po Box 349 15 2nd St Ne
West Bend, IA 50597
(515) 887-4542
View Profile

Overview

Category
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
1 School

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

YearPalo Alto County Total Schools
20251
20241
20231
20221
20211
20201
20191
20181
20171
20161
20151
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Students
111 Students
52,730 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025111217179
2024111212172
2023124192174
2022125203185
2021125201180
2020125196171
2019134199175
2018134197172
201787195180
201687194178
201587188167
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Average Students of Color
10%
16%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202510%16%34%
202410%16%34%
20239%17%33%
20229%15%33%
20219%16%32%
20209%15%32%
201912%14%31%
201812%15%31%
20178%13%32%
20168%13%32%
20158%12%32%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
9 Teachers
4,273 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202512:112:111:1
202412:112:111:1
202314:113:111:1
202213:113:111:1
202113:113:111:1
202013:113:112:1
201913:114:112:1
201813:114:112:1
20179:113:112:1
20169:113:112:1
20159:113:112:1
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Students by Ethnicity:

0.52
0.48

Diversity Score Trends

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20250.520.470.65
20240.520.470.65
20230.460.500.65
20220.450.470.64
20210.450.470.64
20200.450.470.64
20190.520.460.63
20180.520.450.63
20170.310.390.61
20160.310.390.61
20150.310.390.61
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# American Indian Students
n/a
116 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
4 Students
1,075 Students
% Asian Students
3%
2%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20254%3%5%
20244%2%5%
20232%3%5%
20222%2%4%
20212%3%4%
20202%2%4%
20194%2%4%
20184%2%4%
20175%2%4%
20165%2%4%
20155%2%4%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hispanic Students
1 Student
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
1%
7%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20251%6%9%
20241%7%9%
20231%6%9%
20222%6%8%
20212%6%9%
20202%6%9%
20193%5%8%
20183%5%8%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Black Students
3 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
3%
3%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20253%3%7%
20243%3%7%
20233%3%8%
20223%3%7%
20213%3%7%
20203%3%8%
20192%3%7%
20182%3%7%
20171%2%7%
20161%2%7%
20151%2%8%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# White Students
69 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
62%
70%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202562%70%52%
202462%71%52%
202370%68%52%
202271%71%54%
202171%70%54%
202071%71%54%
201963%72%56%
201863%72%56%
201783%77%58%
201683%76%58%
201583%76%58%
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Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hawaiian Students
n/a
98 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
34 Students
9,674 Students
% of Others Students
31%
18%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearPalo Alto County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202530%18%26%
202430%17%26%
202323%20%25%
202222%18%25%
202122%18%25%
202022%18%24%
201928%18%24%
201828%18%23%
201710%15%22%
201610%16%22%
201510%16%21%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Palo Alto County, IA?
The top ranked private schools in Palo Alto County, IA is Emmetsburg Catholic School.
How many private schools are located in Palo Alto County?
1 private schools are located in Palo Alto County.
What percentage of students in Palo Alto County go to private school?
7% of all K-12 students in Palo Alto County are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Palo Alto County?
100% of private schools in Palo Alto County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).

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