The Best Private Schools in Farragut, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Farragut. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Shenandoah Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
Shenandoah Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and draws students from multiple surrounding communities including Farragut. The school provides a faith-based education with strong academic foundations, featuring small class sizes and individualized attention. The curriculum includes comprehensive STEM education, fine arts programs, and competitive athletics. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, and a gymnasium. The school is known for its tight-knit community atmosphere and strong parent involvement.
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St. Albert Catholic Schools
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
St. Albert Catholic Schools serves students from preschool through 12th grade and attracts families from throughout southwest Iowa, including the Farragut area. The high school is particularly renowned for its college preparatory program and competitive athletics. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic facilities. Academic programs include advanced placement courses, STEM initiatives, and comprehensive fine arts education. The school maintains a strong tradition of academic excellence and community involvement.
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Clarinda Christian School
Independent Christian School
Clarinda Christian School serves students from preschool through 12th grade and attracts families from throughout Page County and surrounding areas. The school offers a comprehensive Christian education with a strong college preparatory focus. Academic programs include advanced placement opportunities, comprehensive music and arts education, and competitive sports teams. The campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, a gymnasium, and athletic fields. Parent reviews consistently praise the school's academic rigor and nurturing environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Farragut, Iowa
What are the private school options for families living in Farragut, Iowa, and are there any schools directly in town?
There are no private schools physically located within the town of Farragut, Iowa itself. However, families in Farragut typically look to nearby communities for excellent private education options. The top schools serving the area include Shenandoah Catholic School in Shenandoah (about 25 miles away), Clarinda Christian School in Clarinda (approximately 15 miles away), and St. Albert Catholic Schools in Council Bluffs (roughly 60 miles away). Transportation or carpooling is an important consideration for Farragut residents, making the schools in Clarinda and Shenandoah the most geographically accessible choices.
How does tuition at private schools serving Farragut, IA, compare, and are there Iowa-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Clarinda Christian School's tuition is approximately $5,500-$6,500, while Shenandoah Catholic School's is around $4,800 for parishioners and higher for non-parishioners. St. Albert, being a larger system, has higher tuition. Importantly, Iowa has the **School Tuition Organization (STO) Tax Credit** program, which provides financial aid to families choosing private schools. Donations to STOs fund scholarships, and many families at these schools benefit from this Iowa-specific program, significantly reducing the net cost of tuition.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools near Farragut, Iowa, offer that differentiate them from each other?
Each school has distinct strengths. **Clarinda Christian School** emphasizes a Reformed Christian worldview and often has strong agricultural and fine arts programs reflective of its rural Iowa setting. **Shenandoah Catholic School** (PreK-12) offers a continuous Catholic education with a focus on faith integration across all subjects and may have closer ties to the specific parishes in Page County. **St. Albert Catholic Schools** in Council Bluffs provides the most extensive offerings, including a wider range of AP courses, competitive athletics in the Hawkeye Ten Conference, and robust band and drama programs, given its larger size. For Farragut families, the choice often balances desired specialization with commute tolerance.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the Farragut, IA, area?
Enrollment processes are school-specific but generally begin in January or February for the following fall. **Shenandoah Catholic School** and **Clarinda Christian School** often have open houses in early winter. Priority is frequently given to current families, siblings, and active church members. Given the limited seats in these smaller rural Iowa schools, especially in specific grade levels, it is highly advisable for Farragut parents to initiate contact by December. The process usually involves an application, submission of records, a family interview, and a placement assessment. Early inquiry is crucial due to the schools' limited capacity and the potential for waiting lists.
For a family in Farragut, what are the key considerations when comparing the local public school (Fremont-Mills) to the nearby private school options?
The primary considerations are educational philosophy, community size, and logistics. **Fremont-Mills Community School District** in Tabor offers a public, comprehensive K-12 education with no tuition and is the designated district for Farragut residents. The nearby private schools offer a faith-based education with integrated religious curriculum. The private schools are typically much smaller, leading to smaller class sizes and a close-knit community feel, but may have fewer elective or advanced course offerings than the public district. The deciding factor for many Farragut families is the daily commute to a private school versus the bus availability to Fremont-Mills, alongside their desire for a religious foundation in their child's education.