Our mission statement, Shelby County Catholic School, growing infaith with Jesus, is a family-oriented school committed to academicexcellence, sums up what we believe are the most important tenetsof our school. First and foremost is our faith in Jesus. We share the faith with our students and families by not onlyteaching the doctrine of our faith but also by living the faith aswe strive to teach our students to see Christ in each and everyperson.
Secondly, we recognize the importance of our families and encouragethe involvement of parents, guardians, and other family members inour school community. Our teachers know and care about eachstudent as an individual. Our family-oriented cultureprovides a safe and caring learning environment.
Finally, our commitment to academic excellence guides us tocontinually assist our students to do their very best in theclassroom and in extracurricular activities. At Shelby CountyCatholic School, faith and learning are intertwined as we work todevelop the skills and talents our students will need to besuccessful in the future.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked IA School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 120 students
- Yearly Tuition: $4,500
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Shelby County Catholic School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
School History
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1884
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
120 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
8%
State avg.: 16%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
25%
Average Class Size
15 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition assistance is available. Education Savings Accounts available through the State of Iowa.
Acceptance Rate
100%
National avg.: 82%
Admissions Director
Joanne Erlbacher
Application URL
School Notes
- School Motto: Small School, Big Heart
- PK students must be four-years old by Sept. 15 of the enrolmentyear. Kindergarten studnets must be five-years old by Sept.15.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shelby County Catholic School cost?
Shelby County Catholic School's tuition is approximately $4,500 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Shelby County Catholic School?
The acceptance rate of Shelby County Catholic School is 100%, which is higher than the national average of 87%.
What is Shelby County Catholic School's ranking?
Shelby County Catholic School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Iowa for: Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Shelby County Catholic School?
The application deadline for Shelby County Catholic School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school to Shelby County Catholic School is Kuemper Grade School Pk-8 Grades (37.0 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is St. Rose Of Lima School (25.3 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Rose Of Lima School
(Catholic)
1012 2nd Ave S
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-5408
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-5408
25.3 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 129 students
Zion Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
1004 1st Ave S
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-4766
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-4766
25.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 127 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 2
219 North 7th Street
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712) 642-2611
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712) 642-2611
29.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 75 students
Montessori Childrens House
Montessori School
400 Cloverdale Dr
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 325-8346
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 325-8346
36.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 104 students
Kuemper Grade School Pk-8 Grades
(Catholic)
201 S Clark St
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
37 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,212 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Kuemper Grade School Pk-8 Grades
(Catholic)
201 S Clark St
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
37 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,212 students
Kuemper Catholic Grade School
(Catholic)
116 S East Street
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
37.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,200 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 9
St. Albert Catholic ![St. Albert Catholic Photo - With the addition of the state-of-the-art childcare center and elementary school, Saint Albert's elite learning, faith-filled environment is unmatched in Southwest Iowa.]( "St. Albert Catholic Photo - With the addition of the state-of-the-art childcare center and elementary school, Saint Albert's elite learning, faith-filled environment is unmatched in Southwest Iowa.")
(Catholic)
400 Gleason Ave
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 328-2316
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 328-2316
38.3 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 675 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 14 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
525 Woodbury Ave
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 322-4520
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 322-4520
38.6 miles
Gr: 3-12 | 23 students
Liberty Christian School
(Baptist)
2701 Avenue N
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 322-2321
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 322-2321
38.7 miles
Gr: K-12 | 20 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Rose Of Lima School
(Catholic)
1012 2nd Ave S
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-5408
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-5408
25.3 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 129 students
Zion Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
1004 1st Ave S
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-4766
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-4766
25.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 127 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 2
219 North 7th Street
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712) 642-2611
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712) 642-2611
29.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 75 students
Kuemper Grade School Pk-8 Grades
(Catholic)
201 S Clark St
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
37 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,212 students
St. Albert Middle School
(Catholic)
400 Gleason Ave
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 322-7004
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 322-7004
37 miles
Gr: 4-6 | 217 students Acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Rose Of Lima School
(Catholic)
1012 2nd Ave S
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-5408
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-5408
25.3 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 129 students
Zion Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
1004 1st Ave S
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-4766
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-4766
25.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 127 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 2
219 North 7th Street
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712) 642-2611
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712) 642-2611
29.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 75 students
Montessori Childrens House
Montessori School
400 Cloverdale Dr
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 325-8346
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 325-8346
36.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 104 students
Kuemper Grade School Pk-8 Grades
(Catholic)
201 S Clark St
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-3610
37 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,212 students
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Harlan Intermediate School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1401 19th St
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-2725
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-2725
0.4 miles
Gr: 3-5 | 309 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Harlan Community Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2108 Durant Street
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3196
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3196
0.6 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 335 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Harlan High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2102 Durant
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
0.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 486 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
2105 Durant St
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-5903
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-5903
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-2 | 342 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Irwin Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
100 Eva Street
Irwin, IA 51446
(712) 782-3126
Irwin, IA 51446
(712) 782-3126
12 miles
Gr: PK-3 | 221 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
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