Private School Review - Established 2003
Bergman Academy
Des Moines Christian School Top 19 · Most AP Courses (IA)
Alrazi Academy Top 3 · Highest % Faculty w/ Adv. Degrees (IA)

Best Polk County Private Elementary Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 22 private elementary schools serving 7,379 students in Polk County, IA.
The average tuition cost is $7,965, which is lower than the Iowa private elementary school average tuition cost of $9,021.
83% of private elementary schools in Polk County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 22
  • # Students Served: 7,379
  • Average Tuition: $7,965
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 26%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 18 students
  • % Students of Color: 23%
  • View Polk County, IA School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 22
  • # Students Served: 7,379
  • Average Tuition: $7,965
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 26%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 18 students
  • % Students of Color: 23%
  • View Polk County, IA School Trends

Top Ranked Polk County Private Elementary Schools (2026-27)

Alrazi Academy Photo
Alrazi Academy
Gr: PK-8 | 168 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 2 | Extracurriculars: 2
Islamic
1119 5th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 255-0220
(1)
View Profile
Ankeny Christian Academy Photo
Ankeny Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 509 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 4
Christian
1604 West 1st St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-8114
View Profile
Bergman Academy Photo
Bergman Academy
Gr: PK-8 | 336 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 5
100 45th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 274-0453
View Profile
Map of Des Moines Adventist School
Des Moines Adventist School
Gr: PK-8 | 41 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Seventh Day Adventist
2317 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 285-7729
View Profile
Des Moines Christian School Photo
Des Moines Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 1,086 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Christian
13007 Douglas Pkwy
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 334-2240
(2)
View Profile
Map of Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity
Gr: PK-8 | 430 students
Catholic
2922 Beaver Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 255-3162
View Profile
Map of Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart School
Gr: K-8 | 511 students
Catholic
1601 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 223-1284
View Profile
Map of St. Anthony Elementary School
St. Anthony Elementary School
Gr: PK-8 | 349 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Catholic
16 Columbus Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 243-1874
(3)
View Profile
Map of St. Augustin Catholic School
St. Augustin Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 282 students
Avg. class size: 26 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 3
Catholic
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
View Profile
Map of St. Francis Of Assisi School
St. Francis Of Assisi School
Gr: PK-8 | 728 students
Avg. class size: 22 students
Sports: 4
Catholic
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
View Profile
Map of St. Pius X Catholic School
St. Pius X Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 397 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 5
Catholic
3601 66th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-1061
View Profile
Map of St. Theresa Catholic School
St. Theresa Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 238 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 7 | Extracurriculars: 3
Catholic
5810 Carpenter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-0178
(2)
View Profile
Map of Christ The King School
Christ The King School
Gr: PK-8 | 233 students
Catholic
701 Wall Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 285-3349
View Profile
Map of Gospel Assembly Christian Academy
Gospel Assembly Christian Academy
Gr: 1-12 | 15 students
Christian
4665 72nd St
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-9047
View Profile
Map of Holy Family School
Holy Family School
Gr: K-8 | 208 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Catholic
1265 E 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 262-8025
View Profile
Map of Joshua Christian Academy
Joshua Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 139 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 5
Christian
1740 Garfield Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 265-0603
View Profile
Montessori Children's House Photo
Montessori Children's House
Gr: PK-2 | 209 students
Avg. class size: 12 students
Montessori School
1505 42nd Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(151) 577-1690
View Profile
Map of Mt. Olive Lutheran School
Mt. Olive Lutheran School
Gr: PK-8 | 303 students
Avg. class size: 17 students
Sports: 4
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
5625 Franklin Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 277-8349
View Profile
Map of One School Global Des Moines Campus
One School Global Des Moines Campus
Gr: 3-12 | 42 students
4111 Hubbell Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-5065
View Profile
Map of St. Joseph Elementary School
St. Joseph Elementary School
Gr: PK-8 | 206 students
Catholic
2107 E 33rd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3433
View Profile
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Polk County, Iowa

Polk County Private Elementary Schools (Closed)

Country Club KinderCare Photo
Country Club KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
7210 Vista Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-9685
View Profile
Map of Lincoln Heights Lutheran School
Lincoln Heights Lutheran School
Gr: 1-8 | 14 students
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
1217 Sw Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 288-3013
View Profile

Overview

Category
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
23 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Elementary Schools

YearPolk County Total Schools
202523
202423
202321
202220
202121
202021
201922
201822
201724
201625
201525
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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
7,379 Students
47,860 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private Elementary School

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025335220199
2024330214192
2023314190193
2022323203205
2021308200201
2020302194188
2019301198193
2018285197190
2017268192199
2016268191196
2015258185183
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% Average Students of Color
23%
15%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202523%16%33%
202423%15%32%
202326%17%32%
202227%16%32%
202127%16%31%
202027%15%31%
201926%14%31%
201825%14%30%
201721%13%31%
201621%13%31%
201521%13%31%
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Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
515 Teachers
3,927 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202514:112:111:1
202414:112:111:1
202314:113:111:1
202214:113:111:1
202114:113:111:1
202014:113:111:1
201914:114:111:1
201814:114:111:1
201713:113:111:1
201614:113:112:1
201514:113:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
44%
37%

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202544%38%54%
202448%39%54%
202348%39%53%
202248%38%53%
202148%39%53%
202054%39%53%
201954%40%52%
201853%35%52%
201753%30%51%
201653%32%51%
201553%34%50%
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Average Class Size
18 students
16 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025181616
2024201515
2023191515
2022191515
2021191515
2020181515
2019181515
2018171515
2017171515
2016171515
2015171515
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Average Number of AP Courses
4 courses
9 courses

Trends in Average Number of AP Courses Offered

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20254912
20244811
20234810
20224810
20214910
20204810
20194710
20184710
20173710
2016379
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Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,965
$9,021

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025$7,965$9,547$14,043
2024$5,359$7,056$12,357
2023$3,454$4,989$11,693
2022$3,454$4,647$11,199
2021$3,454$4,614$10,824
2020$3,418$4,508$10,496
2019$3,418$4,453$10,300
2018$3,291$4,450$10,056
2017$3,285$4,057$9,712
2016$2,965$4,866$9,307
2015$2,965$4,845$8,903
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Average Summer Program Cost
$225
$0
Average % on Financial Aid
26%
37%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202526%37%34%
202426%39%33%
202330%39%33%
202230%37%32%
202130%37%32%
202030%37%31%
201930%37%30%
201835%38%29%
201735%34%29%
201635%32%28%
201535%31%27%
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Average Financial Aid Grant
$843
$2,840

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2016-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025$843$2,828$6,227
2024$843$2,783$6,113
2023$843$3,118$5,785
2022$843$2,258$5,514
2021$843$2,258$5,269
2020$843$2,224$5,141
2019$843$2,070$5,007
2018$665$2,001$4,752
2017$665$1,141$4,582
2016$777$1,041$4,396
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Average Acceptance Rate
85%
86%

Acceptance Rate Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202585%84%81%
202496%93%85%
202396%92%85%
202296%92%85%
202196%92%86%
202099%92%86%
201999%92%85%
201899%92%85%
201799%94%86%
201699%96%85%
201599%97%86%
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Students by Ethnicity:

0.60
0.47

Diversity Score Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20250.600.470.64
20240.590.460.64
20230.590.500.63
20220.590.470.62
20210.590.480.62
20200.580.470.62
20190.590.460.61
20180.570.450.60
20170.430.390.59
20160.430.390.59
20150.440.400.58
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# American Indian Students
25 Students
109 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
295 Students
941 Students
% Asian Students
4%
2%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20255%2%5%
20245%3%5%
20235%3%5%
20225%3%5%
20215%3%5%
20205%2%5%
20194%3%4%
20183%3%4%
20173%2%4%
20163%2%4%
20153%2%4%
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# Hispanic Students
617 Students
2,961 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
6%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20258%6%9%
20248%6%9%
20238%7%9%
20228%6%8%
20218%6%9%
20209%6%9%
20196%5%8%
20186%5%8%
20175%4%8%
20165%4%8%
20155%4%8%
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# Black Students
323 Students
1,396 Students
% Black Students
5%
3%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20254%3%8%
20244%3%8%
20235%3%8%
20225%3%7%
20215%3%8%
20205%3%8%
20198%3%8%
20188%3%8%
20173%2%7%
20163%2%8%
20153%2%8%
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# White Students
4,316 Students
33,818 Students
% White Students
58%
71%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202558%71%55%
202459%71%55%
202360%68%55%
202260%70%57%
202161%70%57%
202062%71%58%
201959%71%59%
201862%72%59%
201774%76%61%
201674%76%61%
201574%76%61%
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# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
94 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
1,838 Students
8,618 Students
% of Others Students
25%
18%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202525%18%22%
202424%17%22%
202321%19%22%
202221%18%22%
202120%18%20%
202018%18%19%
201922%18%20%
201820%17%20%
201715%16%19%
201615%16%18%
201515%16%18%
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All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
3 extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
4 sports
6 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private elementary schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked private elementary schools in Polk County, IA include Bergman Academy, Ankeny Christian Academy, and Alrazi Academy.
How many private elementary schools are located in Polk County?
22 private elementary schools are located in Polk County.
How much do private elementary schools cost in Polk County?
The average tuition cost is $7,965, which is lower than the Iowa private school average tuition cost of $9,021.
How diverse are private elementary schools in Polk County?
Polk County private elementary schools are approximately 23% minority students, which is higher than the Iowa private school average of 15%.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Polk County?
83% of private elementary schools in Polk County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private elementary schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?

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