The Best Private Schools in Booneville, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Booneville. 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 independent school serving the Des Moines metropolitan area, including Booneville families. As an International Baccalaureate World School, it offers the IB Primary Years Programme for students aged 3 through 5th grade. The school features innovative learning environments with dedicated makerspaces, outdoor classrooms, and comprehensive Spanish language immersion from early childhood. Parent satisfaction ratings are exceptionally high due to the school's progressive educational approach and strong community atmosphere.
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St. Augustin Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
St. Augustin Catholic School serves families throughout the Greater Des Moines area including Booneville with a comprehensive PreK-8 education program. The school emphasizes faith-based learning combined with strong academic foundations in mathematics, language arts, and sciences. Facilities include modern classrooms, dedicated science labs, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and offers robust extracurricular programs including music, art, and competitive sports.
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Dowling Catholic High School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
Dowling Catholic High School serves as the premier Catholic secondary education institution for the Greater Des Moines region, drawing students from Booneville and surrounding communities. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with 25 Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM programs, and extensive fine arts opportunities. Campus facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, performing arts centers, and championship athletic complexes. The school maintains a 98% college acceptance rate and strong alumni network.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Booneville, Iowa
What are the specific private school options available for families living in or near Booneville, Iowa?
While Booneville itself is a smaller community, families have access to several well-regarded private schools in the greater Des Moines metro area. The most prominent options include St. Augustin Catholic School in Des Moines (PreK-8), Bergman Academy in West Des Moines (PreK-8, with a STEM-focused curriculum), and Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines (9-12). For Booneville residents, this means commuting to the western suburbs of Des Moines is typical for private education. It's important to research each school's specific location relative to your home in Booneville to understand the daily commute.
How does Iowa's "School Tuition Organization" (STO) tax credit program help with private school tuition for Booneville families?
Iowa's unique STO program is a significant financial consideration. It allows individuals and businesses to receive a state tax credit for donations to nonprofit STOs, which then provide need-based tuition grants to students. For Booneville families considering schools like Dowling Catholic or St. Augustin, you would apply for financial aid directly through the school, which often works with an STO like the AIM (Accessible, Innovative, Measurable) Institute for Dowling or the Diocese of Des Moines for St. Augustin. This can substantially reduce the out-of-pocket tuition cost, making private school more accessible than the sticker price may suggest.
What specialized academic or extracurricular programs distinguish the private schools accessible from Booneville, IA?
The schools serving the Booneville area offer distinct specializations. Bergman Academy is renowned for its advanced, project-based STEM curriculum starting in early childhood. Dowling Catholic High School offers extensive college preparatory Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a renowned performing arts department, and competitive athletic programs in the Iowa high school league. St. Augustin Catholic School provides a faith-based education integrated with a strong core curriculum. For Booneville students interested in agriculture or robotics, for example, investigating each school's specific clubs and project-based learning opportunities is key, as these programs often surpass what's available in smaller local public districts.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high school (like Dowling Catholic) for a student coming from the Booneville area?
For a Booneville student aiming to attend Dowling Catholic High School, the process typically begins a full year in advance. Prospective student and parent open houses are held in the fall (often September-October). Applications for the following academic year usually open in October, with priority deadlines in early December. The process includes submitting an application, academic records from the current school (often the Booneville or nearby public school), teacher recommendations, and attending a student interview. Placement testing often occurs in January. Families are encouraged to apply for financial aid through the STO system simultaneously. Notification of acceptance and financial aid awards usually goes out in March.
For a family in Booneville, what are the practical considerations when comparing the local public school district to commuting to a Des Moines-area private school?
The comparison involves several Booneville-specific factors. Academically, private schools like Bergman or Dowling may offer more specialized AP courses, languages, or STEM labs than a smaller rural district. The trade-off is a significant daily commute (20-30+ minutes each way to West Des Moines), impacting family schedules and extracurricular participation. Socially, your child's peer group would be regionally based rather than hyper-local. Financially, you must weigh private school tuition (even with STO aid) against the "free" public option, while also considering transportation costs. Many Booneville families value the private school option for its religious foundation or specific academic rigor not as readily available in their immediate public system.