The Best Private Schools in Exira, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Exira. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Albert Catholic Schools
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
St. Albert Catholic Schools is a highly-regarded private school system serving southwest Iowa, including the Exira area. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces. The school emphasizes faith-based education combined with academic excellence, offering advanced placement courses, competitive athletics, and extensive extracurricular activities. Parent satisfaction is consistently high due to small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and strong community involvement.
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Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Elementary School
Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District
While technically part of the public school system, Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Elementary serves as a primary educational institution for Exira residents and maintains excellent ratings for academic performance and teacher quality. The school features modern facilities, dedicated teaching staff, and comprehensive educational programs. Known for strong community support and parent involvement, the school offers specialized programs including reading intervention, technology integration, and enrichment activities. The school's long-standing reputation for quality education makes it a top choice for families in the Exira area.
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IKM-Manning Elementary School
IKM-Manning Community School District
Located in nearby Manning, IKM-Manning Elementary School serves students from surrounding communities including Exira. The school is recognized for its strong academic programs, experienced teaching staff, and comprehensive student support services. Facilities include modern classrooms, computer labs, library resources, and playground areas. The school emphasizes personalized learning approaches with small class sizes and individualized attention. Parent reviews consistently praise the school's welcoming environment, dedicated teachers, and strong academic outcomes. The school maintains active parent-teacher partnerships and offers various extracurricular opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Exira, Iowa
What are the specific private school options available for families in or near Exira, Iowa?
In Exira and the immediate surrounding area, the primary private school option is St. Albert Catholic Schools, which is a PreK-12 system located in nearby Council Bluffs, serving families from multiple counties, including Audubon where Exira is located. While Exira itself is served by the public Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton and IKM-Manning districts, St. Albert is the closest traditional private institution. Some families may also consider faith-based or independent schools in larger regional hubs like Atlantic or Carroll, but these involve a significant commute. The private school landscape in rural Iowa towns like Exira often means looking to neighboring communities for options.
How does tuition at a private school like St. Albert compare to the cost of public school in Exira, and are there financial aid options for Iowa residents?
St. Albert Catholic Schools charges tuition, which for the 2024-2025 school year is approximately $5,500 for parishioners and $8,500 for non-parishioners at the high school level, with lower rates for elementary grades. This contrasts with the free tuition at public Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton schools. However, Iowa has robust financial support options for private school families. The most significant is the Iowa Students First Act (School Choice ESA), which provides eligible families with approximately $7,600 per student per year for private school tuition and expenses. St. Albert also offers need-based financial aid, parish subsidies, and multi-child discounts, making it more accessible for Exira-area families.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs might attract an Exira family to a private school like St. Albert?
St. Albert Catholic Schools offers programs that may not be as readily available in smaller public districts like Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton. These include a strong college-prep curriculum with a wider selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a dedicated focus on faith-based character education, and a 1:1 technology program. For athletics and activities, St. Albert competes in a different class and conference, potentially offering different competitive opportunities. Additionally, private schools can provide smaller average class sizes, which is a draw for personalized attention. For Exira families involved in agriculture, St. Albert's location in Council Bluffs also offers easier access to certain career and technical education (CTE) partnerships.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a private school like St. Albert for a family moving from Exira public schools?
St. Albert Catholic Schools generally begins open enrollment for the following academic year in January, with priority given to current families and parish members. For Exira families considering a transfer, it is crucial to initiate contact with the St. Albert admissions office by early winter. The process involves submitting an application, providing records from the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton district, and often a family interview. Because Iowa's School Choice ESA funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, applying early is essential to secure financial support. It's also important to notify your local Exira public school district of your intent to withdraw by the state's July 1 deadline if you are accepting the ESA.
For an Exira family, what are the key logistical considerations when choosing a private school like St. Albert over the local public school?
The most immediate consideration is transportation and commute. St. Albert is about a 45-minute drive from Exira, so families must commit to daily transportation or arrange carpools/busing (which may be limited for private schools). The social and community aspect is also different; your child would be building friendships and participating in activities primarily in Council Bluffs rather than locally in Exira. Conversely, the private school community can be tightly knit. Academically, you must value the faith-based integration and specific program offerings enough to justify the commute and tuition balance (after ESA funds). Finally, consider the impact on extracurricular participation; longer commutes can affect ability to participate in after-school sports or clubs at St. Albert compared to the walkable opportunities in Exira.