Top 10 Best Polk County Private Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 31 private schools serving 7,870 students in Polk County, IA (there are 140 public schools, serving 85,025 public students). 8% of all K-12 students in Polk County, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 8%).
The best top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA include Des Moines Christian School, St. Theresa Catholic School and Holy Trinity.
The average acceptance rate is 96%, which is higher than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 94%.
68% of private schools in Polk County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top Ranked Polk County Private Schools (2024)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Alrazi Academy
Alrazi Academy Photo - AlRazi Students learning measurements and math skills ( hands on activities)
(Islamic)
1119 5th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 255-0220
Grades: PK-8
| 99 students
Ankeny Christian Academy
Ankeny Christian Academy Photo
(Christian)
1604 West 1st St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-8114
Grades: PK-12
| 501 students
Des Moines Christian School
Des Moines Christian School Photo
(Christian)
(2)
13007 Douglas Pkwy
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 334-2240
Grades: PK-12
| 1,086 students
Dowling Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1400 Buffalo Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
Grades: 9-12
| 1,415 students
Holy Trinity
(Catholic)
2922 Beaver Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 255-3162
Grades: PK-8
| 427 students
Sacred Heart School
(Catholic)
1601 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 223-1284
Grades: PK-8
| 594 students
St. Anthony Continuation School
Special Program Emphasis (Catholic)
(3)
16 Columbus Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 243-1874
Grades: PK-8
| 363 students
St. Augustin Catholic School
(Catholic)
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
Grades: PK-8
| 290 students
St. Francis Of Assisi School
(Catholic)
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
Grades: K-8
| 638 students
St. Pius X Catholic School
(Catholic)
3601 66th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-1061
Grades: PK-8
| 355 students
St. Theresa Catholic School
(Catholic)
(2)
5810 Carpenter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-0178
Grades: PK-8
| 325 students
Ankeny KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
3055 N. Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 964-0688
Grades: NS-PK
| students
Bergman Academy
Daycare / Preschool
100 45th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 374-0453
Grades: NS
| 50 students
Christ The King School
(Catholic)
701 Wall Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 285-3349
Grades: NS-8
| 297 students
Cottontail Creek Montessori School
Daycare / Preschool
7297 Nw Fisher Ln
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 289-1401
Grades: K
| 1 students
Country Club KinderCare
Country Club KinderCare Photo - Infant Classroom
Daycare / Preschool
7210 Vista Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-9685
Grades: NS-PK
| students
Des Moines Adventist School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
2317 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 285-7729
Grades: PK-8
| 39 students
Empigo Academy
(Christian)
4801 Franklin Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 350-4008
Grades: 9-12
| students
Gospel Assembly Christian Academy
(Christian)
4665 72nd St
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-9047
Grades: 1-12
| 15 students
Holy Family School
(Catholic)
1265 E 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 262-8025
Grades: PK-8
| 246 students
Johnston KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
8601 Thomas Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 214-1036
Grades: NS-PK
| students
Joshua Christian Academy
(Christian)
1740 Garfield Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 265-0603
Grades: PK-12
| 139 students
Montessori Children's House
Montessori Children's House Photo
Montessori School
1505 42nd Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-1073
Grades: PK-2
| 223 students
Mt Olive Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
5625 Franklin Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 277-8349
Grades: PK-8
| 180 students
Oralabor KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
225 SW Oralabor Road
Ankeny, IA 50023
(833) 905-3276
Grades: NS-PK
| students
Pleasant Hill KinderCare
Pleasant Hill KinderCare Photo - Reading a story on the climber!
Daycare / Preschool
1425 Copper Creek Dr.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 262-3838
Grades: NS-PK
| students
St. Joseph Elementary School
(Catholic)
2107 E 33rd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3433
Grades: PK-8
| 250 students
1102 Nw Weigel Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 985-7074
Grades: K-7
| 176 students
Shepherd's Flock Early Learning Center
Montessori School (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
3900 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-1952
Grades: PK-K
| 161 students
Westlakes KinderCare
Westlakes KinderCare Photo - Discovery Preschool A Classroom
Daycare / Preschool
6670 University Ave.
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 221-0718
Grades: NS-PK
| students
Whiz Kid Academy
Daycare / Preschool
1721 25th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-8513
Grades: NS-7
| students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Polk County, Iowa

Polk County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Lincoln Heights Lutheran School (Closed 2004)
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
1217 Sw Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 288-3013
Grades: 1-8
| 14 students
4111 Hubbell Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-5065
Grades: 3-12
| 44 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA include Des Moines Christian School, St. Theresa Catholic School and Holy Trinity.
How many private schools are located in Polk County, IA?
31 private schools are located in Polk County, IA.
How diverse are private schools in Polk County, IA?
Polk County, IA private schools are approximately 26% minority students, which is higher than the Iowa private school average of 17%.
What percentage of students in Polk County, IA go to private school?
8% of all K-12 students in Polk County, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Polk County, IA?
68% of private schools in Polk County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Recent Articles

Private School Search Tips
Private School Search Tips
We look at several ways you can use to search for private schools. Whether you are beginning the search process for a school for your child or just want to find out more about particular schools, we offer some tips and tricks to make searching more efficient.
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Secrets to Becoming a Great School
Discover the essential ingredients that drive academic success and cultivate a thriving school community.
All About JROTC
All About JROTC
Explore the multifaceted advantages of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs in private schools. Delve into how JROTC cultivates leadership, discipline, and citizenship skills among students, contributing to their holistic development and future success.