The Best Private Schools in Delaware, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Delaware. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Mary's Catholic School
Archdiocese of Dubuque
St. Mary's Catholic School serves the Delaware County area with a comprehensive PreK-8 education program rooted in Catholic values. The school features small class sizes, dedicated certified teachers, and a well-rounded curriculum that includes advanced STEM programs, music education, and religious formation. Facilities include modern classrooms, a dedicated science lab, and shared access to athletic facilities with the parish. The school maintains strong parent involvement and community connections throughout Delaware County.
Programs:
Wahlert Catholic High School
Holy Family Catholic Schools
Wahlert Catholic High School is a premier college-preparatory institution serving students from throughout Eastern Iowa, including Delaware County. The school offers rigorous academic programs with 18 Advanced Placement courses, a comprehensive STEM Academy, and outstanding fine arts programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, modern athletic complex, and technology-enhanced classrooms. With a 99% college acceptance rate and numerous National Merit Scholars, Wahlert provides exceptional preparation for higher education while maintaining strong Catholic identity and community values.
Programs:
LaSalle Catholic School
Holy Family Catholic Schools
LaSalle Catholic School provides exceptional faith-based education serving families throughout Eastern Iowa, including Delaware County. The school offers a nurturing PreK-5 environment with strong academic foundations in reading, mathematics, and science. Features include dedicated literacy specialists, integrated technology classrooms, art and music programs, and before/after school care. The school is part of the Holy Family Catholic Schools system, providing access to extensive resources and experienced faculty.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Delaware, Iowa
What are the main private school options available for K-12 education in Delaware, Iowa, and how do they connect?
Delaware, Iowa, is served by a Catholic school system that provides a continuous education pathway. For elementary grades (K-5/6), families typically choose between St. Mary's Catholic School in Delaware or LaSalle Catholic School in nearby Holy Cross. These schools feed into Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque for grades 9-12. This interconnected system is a defining feature of private education in the Delaware area, offering a consistent faith-based curriculum from kindergarten through graduation. There are no independent, non-sectarian private schools within Delaware itself, making this Catholic consortium the primary private option.
How does tuition for private schools like St. Mary's or LaSalle in the Delaware, IA area compare to state averages, and what financial aid is typically available?
Tuition for the elementary schools (St. Mary's, LaSalle) is generally below the Iowa private school average due to significant parish subsidies for registered and contributing Catholic families. For the 2023-2024 year, parishioner tuition was approximately $2,500-$3,000 per child, while non-parishioner rates were higher. Wahlert Catholic High School tuition is closer to the state average for private high schools, around $8,000-$9,000. All schools offer need-based financial aid, multi-child discounts, and active parishioner rates. Importantly, Iowa's School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit program allows donors to direct funds to financial aid for students attending accredited private schools, which significantly expands aid availability for Iowa residents.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Delaware, Iowa offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools in the Delaware area emphasize a faith-integrated curriculum, with daily religion classes and service-learning projects rooted in Catholic values. Wahlert Catholic High School offers distinctive programs like a comprehensive Engineering Academy, a competitive Robotics team, and a wider selection of world languages, including a strong Latin program. At the elementary level, St. Mary's and LaSalle often have smaller class sizes (15-20 students) than regional public schools, allowing for more individualized attention. Furthermore, the shared Catholic identity creates a cohesive community for families, with many extracurriculars, like sports and music, organized through the parish or the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for securing a spot at St. Mary's Catholic School or for the pathway to Wahlert High School in Delaware County?
Enrollment for St. Mary's Catholic School typically opens in January for the following fall, with priority given to registered parishioners of St. Mary's Parish and siblings of currently enrolled students. The process involves submitting a registration form, baptismal certificate (if applicable), and a registration fee. For the transition to Wahlert Catholic High School, 8th-grade students from feeder schools like St. Mary's undergo a streamlined application process in the fall of their 8th-grade year, with placement tests and shadow days encouraged. Open houses are held in the late fall and winter. Given the small size of these schools, it is advisable to begin inquiries a full year in advance, especially for non-parishioner families.
For families in rural Delaware County, what are the transportation logistics and community considerations for attending private schools like Wahlert, which is located in Dubuque?
Transportation is a key consideration for Delaware County families. The Delaware Community School District does not provide busing to private schools outside its boundaries. However, Wahlert Catholic High School organizes and subsidizes private bus routes from several hub locations in Delaware County, including from the parking lots of the elementary feeder schools. Carpooling is also very common and often coordinated through parish communities. The commute to Dubuque is about 15-25 minutes from most parts of Delaware County. This creates a close-knit "school community" that travels together, but it does require more logistical planning than attending the local public school in Delaware.
Private Education Insights
Discover Top-Rated Private Catholic Schools in Delaware, Iowa for Your Child
When you search for "private catholic schools near me" in Delaware, Iowa, you're tapping into a rich educational tradition that has shaped this community for generations. For local families, this search is about more than just finding a school; it's about connecting with a values-based education that supports both academic excellence and personal character development. Delaware County offers a distinctive K-12 pathway through its Catholic schools, providing a consistent, faith-integrated learning environment from a child's first steps into education through their high school graduation. This continuity is a significant advantage, allowing for a stable, supportive community that knows your family and grows with your children.
The journey often begins at St. Mary's Catholic School in Manchester, serving students in preschool through sixth grade. Here, the focus is on building a strong foundation. Class sizes are intentionally small, fostering individual attention in a nurturing setting where faith lessons are woven seamlessly into reading, math, and science. For parents, this means a partnership where teachers understand not just your child's learning style, but their character. The transition from St. Mary's leads naturally to LaSalle Catholic School, which houses grades 7 and 8. This critical middle school bridge is designed to prepare students academically and socially for the rigors of high school, all within the same familiar framework of Catholic values. It’s a thoughtful step that eases the often-turbulent middle school years.
The culmination of this local Catholic education is Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, a regional hub that draws students from Delaware County and beyond. While it requires a short commute, the investment is considered well worth it by many local families. Wahlert offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum, diverse extracurricular activities, and advanced placement courses, all grounded in a faith-based perspective. The sense of community here is powerful; your child is part of something larger, yet known as an individual. For Delaware parents, this K-12 arc means your child can be educated within a cohesive philosophy, avoiding disruptive jumps between differing school cultures.
Choosing a private Catholic school in this area also means investing in a tight-knit network. You’ll find carpool arrangements for the drive to Dubuque, see familiar faces at school events, and connect with other parents who share similar priorities. The financial commitment is met with a strong commitment to accessibility, with active parish support and tuition assistance programs available through the Archdiocese of Dubuque. As you research "private catholic schools near me," consider scheduling visits. Attend an open house at St. Mary's, shadow a day at LaSalle, and tour the Wahlert campus. Feel the community spirit, ask about daily prayer and service projects, and see how faith and learning intersect in the classroom. In Delaware County, this educational path is a cherished local option, offering a profound sense of belonging and a purposeful approach to preparing young people for the future.