For the 2026 school year, there are 6 private schools serving 990 students in Waterloo, IA (there are 16 public schools, serving 9,682 public students). 9% of all K-12 students in Waterloo, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
The top-ranked private schools in Waterloo, IA include St. Edward School and Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Middle School.
The average acceptance rate is 80%, which is lower than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 87%.
Top-Ranked Waterloo Private Schools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Middle School
(Catholic)
3225 W 9th St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 232-1422
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 232-1422
Gr: 6-8 | 173 students Acceptance rate listed
St. Edward School
(Catholic)
139 E Mitchell Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 233-6202
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 233-6202
Gr: K-5 | 339 students Acceptance rate listed
Blessed Sacrament School
(Catholic)
600 Stephan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 232-1422
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 232-1422
Gr: PK-5 | 149 students
Columbus Catholic High School
(Catholic)
3231 W 9th St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 232-1422
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 232-1422
Gr: 9-12 | 247 students Avg. class size: 18 students
Royal Legacy Christian Academy
Special Program Emphasis (Christian)
715 E 4th St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 595-1097
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 595-1097
Gr: K-7 | 25 students
928 Jefferson St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 235-6191
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 235-6191
Gr: PK-4 | 57 students
Waterloo, Iowa Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Queen Of Peace (Closed 2006)
(Catholic)
127 E Parker Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 232-2418
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 232-2418
Gr: PK-8 | 134 students
Sacred Heart School (Closed 2016)
(Catholic)
620 W 5th St
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 234-6593
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 234-6593
Gr: NS-5 | 171 students
St. John St. Nicholas School (Closed 2000)
(Catholic)
1729 Mulberry St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 234-6665
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 234-6665
Gr: PK-8 | 181 students
Overview
This Town (Waterloo)
This State (IA)
# Schools
6 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
990 Students
52,698 Students
% Average Students of Color
35%
16%
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
69 Teachers
4,274 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1
Average Class Size
18 students
16 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Acceptance Rate
80%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.48
# American Indian Students
1 Student
116 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
81 Students
1,075 Students
% Asian Students
8%
2%
# Hispanic Students
132 Students
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
13%
7%
# Black Students
73 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
7%
3%
# White Students
521 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
53%
70%
# Hawaiian Students
10 Students
98 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
172 Students
9,624 Students
% of Others Students
18%
18%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Waterloo, IA?
The top-ranked private schools in Waterloo, IA include St. Edward School and Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Middle School.
How many private schools are located in Waterloo?
6 private schools are located in Waterloo.
How diverse are private schools in Waterloo?
Waterloo private schools are approximately 35% minority students, which is higher than the Iowa private school average of 16%.
What percentage of students in Waterloo go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in Waterloo are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
Recent Articles
Learning Support vs. Tutoring: What's Included in Private School Tuition?
Learn the difference between learning support and tutoring, what's typically included in private school tuition, and what parents should ask before enrolling.
How to Evaluate Reading and Writing Instruction in the Early Grades
Learn how to evaluate reading and writing instruction in the early grades, including phonics, writing, assessments, and literacy support in private schools.
The Social Fit Interview: Questions to Ask Students, Not Admissions
Discover how talking with current students can reveal a private school's true culture and help families assess social fit before enrolling.