The Best Private Schools in Ackworth, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Ackworth. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bergman Academy
Independent
Bergman Academy is a highly-regarded private school serving the greater Des Moines metro area, including Warren County where Ackworth is located. The school offers a unique combination of Montessori early childhood education and International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for elementary students. With small class sizes and a student-centered approach, Bergman emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and global awareness. The school features modern facilities, dedicated teachers with advanced degrees, and a strong community atmosphere. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment and academic rigor, with many families commuting from surrounding communities like Ackworth for the exceptional educational experience.
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Dowling Catholic High School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
As the largest Catholic high school in Iowa, Dowling Catholic serves students from across central Iowa, including the Ackworth area. The school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with over 200 courses, including 25 Advanced Placement options. Dowling features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. The school maintains a 99% college acceptance rate and has a strong tradition of academic excellence, with students consistently scoring above state and national averages on standardized tests. With extensive extracurricular opportunities and a values-based education, Dowling attracts families from throughout the region seeking a rigorous academic environment within a faith-based community.
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Holy Trinity Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
Holy Trinity Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and draws families from across the Des Moines metro area, including Warren County communities like Ackworth. The school provides a strong academic foundation with integrated technology, differentiated instruction, and specialized classes in Spanish, music, and art. Holy Trinity emphasizes character development and service learning within a faith-based environment. The school features modern classrooms, dedicated specialist teachers, and a close-knit community atmosphere. Parents consistently report high satisfaction with the school's academic standards, caring teachers, and the smooth transition students experience when moving on to area high schools. The school's location in central Des Moines makes it accessible for families commuting from surrounding communities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Ackworth, Iowa
What are the realistic private school options for families residing in Ackworth, Iowa, given that many top-rated schools are in nearby Des Moines?
While Ackworth itself is a small, unincorporated community, families typically look to the greater Des Moines metro area for private education. The schools you mentioned—Bergman Academy (West Des Moines), Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines), and Holy Trinity Catholic School (Des Moines)—are the primary options, each requiring a commute. Bergman is a non-sectarian, project-based school for grades PK-8. Dowling is a large, diocesan Catholic high school (9-12). Holy Trinity is an elementary Catholic school (PK-8). Transportation is a key consideration, as most Ackworth families drive 20-45 minutes to access these institutions. There are no private schools physically located within Ackworth's boundaries.
How does Iowa's School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit program affect private school tuition for Ackworth residents?
Iowa's STO program is a significant financial consideration. It allows individuals and corporations to receive a state tax credit for donations to nonprofit STOs, which then provide need-based tuition grants to students attending private schools. For Ackworth families considering schools like Dowling or Holy Trinity, you should apply for financial aid directly through the school *and* for a tuition grant through an STO like the AIM (Accessible, Innovative, Measurable) STO or the Diocese of Des Moines' STO. This can substantially reduce the net tuition cost. Eligibility depends on family income and the specific STO's guidelines, and applications are typically due in the spring prior to the school year.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools accessible from Ackworth offer that differ from the local public school (Southeast Warren)?
The private schools offer distinct specializations. Bergman Academy emphasizes STEM and inquiry-based learning with a non-traditional, grade-span approach, differing significantly from a standard public school curriculum. Dowling Catholic offers extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a renowned performing arts program, and a wide array of competitive sports and clubs that rival large public schools. Holy Trinity provides a faith-integrated curriculum from a Catholic perspective. In contrast, the local public option for Ackworth is the Southeast Warren School District, which offers a more traditional rural public education with its own strengths in community involvement and potentially smaller class sizes at the elementary level, but fewer specialized program choices.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Dowling Catholic for a student coming from the Ackworth area?
For a high school like Dowling Catholic, the process for incoming 9th graders (typically from Holy Trinity or other feeder schools) begins over a year in advance. Open Houses are held in the fall (October-November). Application deadlines are usually in early December for the following academic year. Placement testing often occurs in January. Acceptance and financial aid/STO grant award letters are sent in early spring. For families in Ackworth, who are outside the typical feeder system, it's crucial to initiate contact with the admissions office early, attend a shadow day for the student, and ensure all testing and application materials are submitted promptly, as spaces for non-feeder students can be competitive.
For Ackworth parents, what are the key factors in deciding between the local Southeast Warren public schools and a private school in the Des Moines metro?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Commute & Community:** A private school requires a significant daily drive, impacting family logistics and the student's ability to easily participate in after-school activities with local friends. **Cost:** Southeast Warren is tuition-free, while private schools involve tuition, fees, and commuting costs, offset partially by Iowa's STO program. **Educational Approach:** Do you seek a specific religious (Catholic) or pedagogical (inquiry-based) environment? **Scale & Offerings:** Southeast Warren provides a close-knit, rural K-12 experience. Private schools like Dowling offer a larger, more diverse student body and vastly more elective and extracurricular options. Many Ackworth families make this choice based on their priority for faith-based education or specialized academic programs not available locally.