For the 2026 school year, there is 1 private school serving 93 students in Shelby County, IA (there are 6 public schools, serving 1,908 public students). 5% of all K-12 students in Shelby County, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private school in Shelby County, IA is Shelby County Catholic School.
The average acceptance rate is 48%, which is lower than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 86%.
100% of private schools in Shelby County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).
Top-Ranked Shelby County Private Schools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Shelby County Catholic School
(Catholic)
2005 College Pl
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-5634
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-5634
Gr: PK-5 | 93 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Shelby County Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Sccs St. Mary S Center (Closed 2000)
(Catholic)
208 St Mary's Ave Box 183
Panama, IA 51562
(712) 489-2727
Panama, IA 51562
(712) 489-2727
Gr: PK-3 | 74 students
Overview
This County (Shelby County)
This State (IA)
# Schools
1 School
Student Body:
# Students
93 Students
52,671 Students
% Average Students of Color
8%
16%
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
10 Teachers
4,274 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
25%
40%
Average Class Size
15 students
16 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$45,000
$9,686
Average Acceptance Rate
48%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.48
# American Indian Students
n/a
116 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
n/a
1,075 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
2%
# Hispanic Students
4 Students
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
7%
# Black Students
2 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
2%
3%
# White Students
71 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
77%
70%
# 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
16 Students
9,597 Students
% of Others Students
17%
18%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Shelby County, IA?
The top-ranked private schools in Shelby County, IA is Shelby County Catholic School.
How many private schools are located in Shelby County?
1 private schools are located in Shelby County.
What percentage of students in Shelby County go to private school?
5% of all K-12 students in Shelby County are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Shelby County?
100% of private schools in Shelby County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).
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