Private School Review - Established 2003

Best Shelby County Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there is 1 private school serving 120 students in Shelby County, IA (there are 6 public schools, serving 1,908 public students). 6% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
The average acceptance rate is 100%, which is higher than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 87%.
100% of private schools in Shelby County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked Shelby County Private Schools (2026-27)

Map of Shelby County Catholic School
Shelby County Catholic School
Gr: PK-5 | 120 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Catholic
2005 College Pl
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-5634
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[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Shelby County, Iowa

Shelby County Private Schools (Closed)

Map of Sccs St. Mary S Center
Sccs St. Mary S Center
Gr: PK-3 | 74 students
Catholic
208 St Mary's Ave Box 183
Panama, IA 51562
(712) 489-2727
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Overview

Category
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
1 School

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

YearShelby County Total Schools
20251
20241
20231
20221
20211
20201
20191
20181
20171
20161
20152
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# Students
120 Students
52,730 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202593217179
202493212172
202388192174
202288203185
202188201180
2020155196171
2019165199175
2018165197172
2017198195180
2016198194178
2015110188167
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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
8%
16%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20258%16%34%
20248%16%34%
20232%17%33%
20222%15%33%
20212%16%32%
20202%15%32%
20194%14%31%
20184%15%31%
20171%13%32%
20161%13%32%
20151%12%32%
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Academics and Faculty:

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

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20259:112:111:1
20249:112:111:1
20239:113:111:1
20229:113:111:1
20219:113:111:1
202019:113:112:1
201917:114:112:1
201817:114:112:1
201714:113:112:1
201614:113:112:1
201513:113:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
25%
39%

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2021-2025)

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202525%40%55%
202425%41%54%
202325%41%54%
202225%41%54%
202125%42%54%
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Average Class Size
15 students
16 students

Class Size Trends (2021-2025)

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025151615
2024151615
2023151515
2022151615
2021151615
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Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$4,500
$9,320
Average Acceptance Rate
100%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.53
0.48

Diversity Score Trends

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20250.390.470.65
20240.390.470.65
20230.040.500.65
20220.040.470.64
20210.040.470.64
20200.500.470.64
20190.500.460.63
20180.500.450.63
20170.470.390.61
20160.470.390.61
20150.460.390.61
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# 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%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20192%2%4%
20182%2%4%
20171%2%4%
20161%2%4%
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# Hispanic Students
4 Students
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
7%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20255%6%9%
20245%7%9%
20232%6%9%
20222%6%8%
20212%6%9%
20201%6%9%
20191%5%8%
20181%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
2 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
2%
3%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20252%3%7%
20242%3%7%
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# White Students
71 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
59%
70%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202576%70%52%
202476%71%52%
202398%68%52%
202298%71%54%
202198%70%54%
202058%71%54%
201961%72%56%
201861%72%56%
201764%77%58%
201664%76%58%
201566%76%58%
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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.

# 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
43 Students
9,674 Students
% of Others Students
36%
18%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearShelby County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202517%18%26%
202417%17%26%
202041%18%24%
201936%18%24%
201836%18%23%
201735%15%22%
201635%16%22%
201534%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 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?
6% 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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