The Best Private Schools in Colesburg, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Colesburg. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Wahlert Catholic High School
Holy Family Catholic Schools
Wahlert Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving students from surrounding communities including Colesburg. The school offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with advanced placement courses, a dedicated STEM academy, and robust fine arts programs. With small class sizes and individualized attention, Wahlert provides a faith-based education focused on academic excellence and character development. The campus features modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. Students consistently achieve above-average ACT scores and college acceptance rates.
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Holy Family Catholic Schools - Elementary & Middle Schools
Holy Family Catholic Schools
Holy Family Catholic Schools operates multiple elementary and middle schools throughout Dubuque that serve families from surrounding areas including Colesburg. The system provides a continuous Catholic education from preschool through high school with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and faith formation. The schools feature dedicated literacy programs, STEM initiatives, and comprehensive extracurricular activities. With small class sizes and experienced faculty, Holy Family schools maintain high parent satisfaction ratings and consistently outperform state averages in standardized testing.
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Beckman Catholic High School
Beckman Catholic School System
Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville serves students from multiple surrounding communities including Colesburg. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with strong emphasis on STEM education, faith formation, and character development. Beckman features modern science laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, and comprehensive athletic facilities. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized instruction. Beckman graduates consistently achieve high college acceptance rates and are well-prepared for post-secondary education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Colesburg, Iowa
What are the private school options for families living in or near Colesburg, Iowa?
Colesburg itself is a very small town, so there are no private schools physically located within its city limits. However, families in Colesburg typically look to nearby communities for private, faith-based education. The primary options are part of the Holy Family Catholic Schools system in the Dubuque area, including Wahlert Catholic High School and their associated elementary and middle schools. For some families, Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville (about a 25-minute drive) is also a consideration. Transportation is a key factor, as these schools are not served by Colesburg's public bus system, requiring carpooling or private arrangements.
How does the tuition for private Catholic schools near Colesburg, IA, compare, and are there financial aid options for Iowa residents?
Tuition for schools like Wahlert Catholic and Beckman Catholic is set by each parish system. For the 2023-2024 school year, active parishioner tuition typically ranges from $5,000 to $6,500 per high school student, with lower rates for elementary grades. Non-parishioner rates are higher. Significant financial aid is available through the schools themselves and the statewide **Iowa Tuition Tax Credit/STO (School Tuition Organization)** program. Iowa taxpayers can receive a 75% tax credit for donations to an STO, which directly funds need-based scholarships for private school students. This makes private education more accessible for many Iowa families than in states without such programs.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Colesburg students offer that differ from the local public school?
The private Catholic high schools accessible to Colesburg families emphasize college preparatory curricula with a required theology component. Wahlert Catholic in Dubuque offers a robust selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a strong engineering and computer science track, and distinctive programs like broadcast journalism. Beckman Catholic is known for its agricultural science and FFA programs, which resonate with many families in Delaware County's rural communities. Both schools offer extensive extracurriculars, including state-competitive athletics, music, and drama, often with more specialized facilities and coaching than smaller public schools in the area can provide.
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for families in Colesburg applying to schools like Wahlert or Beckman Catholic?
The process begins in the fall or early winter prior to the desired enrollment year. For elementary grades, contact the specific Holy Family elementary school directly. For high school, prospective students from Colesburg should apply directly to Wahlert Catholic or Beckman Catholic by their deadlines, usually in January or February. The process includes submitting an application, academic records from the current school (often Edgewood-Colesburg public schools), a pastor referral form for Catholic families, and sometimes an entrance exam or shadow day. Early application is encouraged, especially for non-parishioners, as some grade levels have waiting lists. Open houses are typically held in the fall.
For a family in Colesburg, what are the main considerations when choosing between the local public school (Edgewood-Colesburg) and a private Catholic school a drive away?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors: **Commute & Community:** The daily drive to Dubuque or Dyersville (20-30+ minutes) versus walking distance or a short bus ride to the local public school. This impacts family logistics and the student's ability to easily participate in after-school activities. **Educational Philosophy:** A desire for a faith-integrated education and specific college-prep or agricultural programs not available at the smaller public school. **Cost:** Weighing the tuition and transportation costs against the no-tuition public option, balanced by Iowa's unique STO tax credit scholarships. **Social Environment:** Some families prefer the smaller, single-town peer group of the public school, while others seek the larger, regional network of a private school. Visiting both types of schools is essential.