Montessori Children's House Photo

Best West Des Moines Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 8 private schools serving 3,140 students in West Des Moines, IA (there are 14 public schools, serving 8,983 public students). 26% of all K-12 students in West Des Moines, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 9%).
The top-ranked private schools in West Des Moines, IA include Dowling Catholic High School, Sacred Heart School, and Alrazi Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 92%, which is higher than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 86%.
63% of private schools in West Des Moines, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Islamic).

Top-Ranked West Des Moines Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Alrazi Academy
Alrazi Academy Photo - AlRazi Students learning measurements and math skills ( hands on activities)
(Islamic)
(1)
1119 5th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 255-0220
Gr: PK-8 | 168 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Dowling Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1400 Buffalo Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
Gr: 9-12 | 1,389 student Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 20 Tuition listed
Sacred Heart School
(Catholic)
1601 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 223-1284
Gr: K-8 | 511 students
St. Francis Of Assisi School
(Catholic)
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
Gr: PK-8 | 728 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Montessori Children's House
Montessori Children's House Photo
Montessori School
1505 42nd Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(151) 577-1690
Gr: PK-2 | 209 students Avg. class size: 12 students
Shepherds Flock Early Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool (Other Lutheran)
3900 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-1952
Gr: PK-K | 135 students
Westlakes KinderCare
Westlakes KinderCare Photo - Discovery Preschool A Classroom
Daycare / Preschool
6670 University Ave.
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 221-0718
Gr: NS-PK
Whiz Kid Academy
Daycare / Preschool
1721 25th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-8513
Gr: NS-7 Avg. class size: 15 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines, Iowa Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
7210 Vista Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-9685
Gr: NS-PK

Overview

This Town (West Des Moines)
This State (IA)
# Schools
8 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
3,140 Students
52,671 Students
% Average Students of Color
21%
16%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
198 Teachers
4,274 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
64%
40%
Average Class Size
18 students
16 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
9 courses
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
25

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$3,927
$9,686
Average % on Financial Aid
35%
37%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,200
$2,769
Average Acceptance Rate
92%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.54
0.48
# American Indian Students
2 Students
116 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
96 Students
1,075 Students
% Asian Students
3%
2%
# Hispanic Students
278 Students
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
9%
7%
# Black Students
137 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
4%
3%
# White Students
2,043 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
65%
70%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
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
585 Students
9,597 Students
% of Others Students
19%
18%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
2 extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in West Des Moines, IA?
The top-ranked private schools in West Des Moines, IA include Dowling Catholic High School, Sacred Heart School, and Alrazi Academy.
How many private schools are located in West Des Moines?
8 private schools are located in West Des Moines.
How diverse are private schools in West Des Moines?
West Des Moines private schools are approximately 21% minority students, which is higher than the Iowa private school average of 16%.
What percentage of students in West Des Moines go to private school?
26% of all K-12 students in West Des Moines are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 9%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in West Des Moines?
63% of private schools in West Des Moines are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Islamic).
Which private schools in West Des Moines are often viewed compared to one another?

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