For the 2024-25 school year, there are 32 private schools serving 8,827 students in Polk County, IA (there are 143 public schools, serving 84,817 public students). 9% of all K-12 students in Polk County, IA are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 9%).
The top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA include Dowling Catholic High School, St. Anthony Elementary School, and Alrazi Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 96%, which is higher than the Iowa private school average acceptance rate of 94%.
Top Ranked Polk County Private Schools (2024-25)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Alrazi Academy![Alrazi Academy Photo - AlRazi Students learning measurements and math skills ( hands on activities)]( "Alrazi Academy Photo - AlRazi Students learning measurements and math skills ( hands on activities)")
(Islamic)
1119 5th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 255-0220
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 255-0220
Grades: PK-8
| 122 students
Ankeny Christian Academy![Ankeny Christian Academy Photo]( "Ankeny Christian Academy Photo")
(Christian)
1604 West 1st St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-8114
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-8114
Grades: PK-12
| 509 students
13007 Douglas Pkwy
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 334-2240
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 334-2240
Grades: PK-12
| 1,086 students
Dowling Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1400 Buffalo Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
Grades: 9-12
| 1,389 students
Sacred Heart School
(Catholic)
1601 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 223-1284
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 223-1284
Grades: K-8
| 511 students
16 Columbus Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 243-1874
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 243-1874
Grades: PK-8
| 349 students
St. Augustin Catholic School
(Catholic)
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
Grades: PK-8
| 282 students
St. Francis Of Assisi School
(Catholic)
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
Grades: PK-8
| 728 students
St. Pius X Catholic School
(Catholic)
3601 66th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-1061
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-1061
Grades: PK-8
| 397 students
Ankeny KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
3055 N. Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 964-0688
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 964-0688
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
Christ The King School
(Catholic)
701 Wall Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 285-3349
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 285-3349
Grades: PK-8
| 233 students
Cottontail Creek Montessori School
Montessori School
7297 Nw Fisher Ln
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 289-1401
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 289-1401
Grades: PK-K
| 93 students
Country Club KinderCare![Country Club KinderCare Photo - Infant Classroom]( "Country Club KinderCare Photo - Infant Classroom")
Daycare / Preschool
7210 Vista Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-9685
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-9685
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
Des Moines Adventist School
(Seventh Day Adventist)
2317 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 285-7729
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 285-7729
Grades: PK-8
| 41 students
Empigo Academy
(Christian)
4801 Franklin Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 350-4008
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 350-4008
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Gospel Assembly Christian Academy
(Christian)
4665 72nd St
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-9047
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-9047
Grades: 1-12
| 15 students
Holy Family School
(Catholic)
1265 E 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 262-8025
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 262-8025
Grades: K-8
| 208 students
Johnston KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
8601 Thomas Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 214-1036
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 214-1036
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
Joshua Christian Academy
(Christian)
1740 Garfield Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 265-0603
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 265-0603
Grades: PK-12
| 139 students
Montessori Children's House![Montessori Children's House Photo]( "Montessori Children's House Photo")
Montessori School
1505 42nd Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(151) 577-1690
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(151) 577-1690
Grades: PK-2
| 209 students
Mt. Olive Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
5625 Franklin Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 277-8349
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 277-8349
Grades: PK-8
| 180 students
4111 Hubbell Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-5065
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-5065
Grades: 3-12
| 42 students
Oralabor KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
225 SW Oralabor Road
Ankeny, IA 50023
(833) 905-3276
Ankeny, IA 50023
(833) 905-3276
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
Pleasant Hill KinderCare![Pleasant Hill KinderCare Photo - Reading a story on the climber!]( "Pleasant Hill KinderCare Photo - Reading a story on the climber!")
Daycare / Preschool
1425 Copper Creek Dr.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 262-3838
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 262-3838
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
St. Joseph Elementary School
(Catholic)
2107 E 33rd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3433
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3433
Grades: PK-8
| 206 students
St. Luke The Evangelist Catholic School
(Catholic)
1102 Nw Weigel Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 985-7074
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 985-7074
Grades: K-8
| 243 students
5810 Carpenter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-0178
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-0178
Grades: PK-8
| 238 students
Shepherds Flock Early Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool (Other Lutheran)
3900 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-1952
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 225-1952
Grades: PK-K
| 135 students
Westlakes KinderCare![Westlakes KinderCare Photo - Discovery Preschool A Classroom]( "Westlakes KinderCare Photo - Discovery Preschool A Classroom")
Daycare / Preschool
6670 University Ave.
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 221-0718
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 221-0718
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
Whiz Kid Academy
Daycare / Preschool
1721 25th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-8513
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 225-8513
Grades: NS-7
| n/a students
Polk County Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Lincoln Heights Lutheran School (Closed 2004)
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
1217 Sw Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 288-3013
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 288-3013
Grades: 1-8
| 14 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA include Dowling Catholic High School, St. Anthony Elementary School, and Alrazi Academy.
How many private schools are located in Polk County?
32 private schools are located in Polk County.
How diverse are private schools in Polk County?
Polk County private schools are approximately 23% minority students, which is higher than the Iowa private school average of 16%.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 9%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Polk County?
Which private schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Polk County include: Ankeny Christian Academy vs. Des Moines Christian School, Des Moines Christian School vs. Ankeny Christian Academy, St. Joseph Elementary School vs. St. Augustin Catholic School
Recent Articles
Early Childhood Education Approaches: A Guide for Parents of 1 and 2 Year Olds
In this article we explore three popular approaches to early childhood education: Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf. It provides parents of toddlers with essential information about each method, helping them make informed decisions about their child's early education.
Making the Right Choice: A Parent's Guide to Private School Selection
We explore the reasons to consider private school education, compares boarding and day school options, and outlines essential factors in choosing the right school. It provides parents with valuable insights to make informed decisions about their child's education, drawing from real-world scenarios and expert advice.
Navigating Private School Finances: A Parent's Guide
This comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of private school tuition and financing options. Divided into three chapters, it covers understanding private school tuition, various payment methods, and seven specific options for managing educational expenses. The article aims to provide parents and guardians with valuable insights and practical strategies to make private education more accessible and affordable.
