The Best Private Schools in Orient, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Orient. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Malachy Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
St. Malachy Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade and is the closest private school option to Orient, located approximately 15 miles away in Creston. The school provides a comprehensive Catholic education with strong academic foundations, integrating faith throughout the curriculum. Facilities include modern classrooms, a gymnasium, and dedicated spaces for art and music. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence and serves families from multiple surrounding communities including Orient. Extracurricular activities include sports, choir, and various academic competitions.
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Dowling Catholic High School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
As Iowa's largest private high school, Dowling Catholic serves students from across central Iowa, including those from Orient and surrounding rural communities. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with over 200 courses, including 26 AP and honors options. The 70-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, athletic complex, and technology-rich classrooms. With a 99% college acceptance rate, Dowling provides comprehensive college counseling and has a strong tradition of academic, athletic, and artistic excellence. Transportation options are available for students from outlying areas.
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Des Moines Christian School
Independent Christian School
Des Moines Christian School serves students from preschool through 12th grade and draws families from throughout central Iowa, including the Orient area. The school integrates biblical worldview across all subjects while maintaining strong academic standards. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, art studios, music rooms, and athletic fields. Academic programs include Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment opportunities, and comprehensive college counseling. The school community emphasizes spiritual growth alongside academic achievement, with numerous extracurricular activities including competitive athletics, fine arts programs, and service opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Orient, Iowa
What are the private school options for families living in Orient, Iowa, and are there schools within the town itself?
Orient itself is a very small town, so there are no private school campuses located directly within its city limits. However, families in Orient commonly look to private schools in the greater Des Moines metro area, which is a manageable commute. The most frequently considered options include St. Malachy Catholic School in Creston (PreK-8, about a 30-minute drive), Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines (9-12, about a 45-minute drive), and Des Moines Christian School in Urbandale (PreK-12, about a 50-minute drive). Many families also explore options in nearby Creston or Greenfield. Transportation is typically the responsibility of the parents, though some schools may offer bus routes from designated areas.
How does Iowa's School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit program benefit families considering private schools near Orient?
Iowa's unique STO program is a significant financial consideration. It allows individuals and corporations to receive a state tax credit for donations to nonprofit STOs, which then provide need-based tuition grants to students attending private schools. For Orient families looking at schools like Dowling Catholic or Des Moines Christian, applying for grants through affiliated STOs (such as the AIM Fund for Dowling) can substantially reduce the out-of-pocket tuition cost. Eligibility is based on family income and size, making private education more accessible to a wider range of Iowa residents than in many other states.
For a family in rural Orient, what unique academic or extracurricular programs might justify the commute to a Des Moines-area private school?
The commute to a metro private school offers access to programs not typically available in small, rural public districts. For example, Dowling Catholic offers extensive Advanced Placement (AP) course options, world language programs, and specialized STEM facilities. Des Moines Christian provides a comprehensive PreK-12 faith-based curriculum with fine arts and athletics. These schools also have robust extracurricular networks in sports, speech, debate, and robotics that compete at the state level. For Orient students seeking a wider array of academic challenges, specialized arts training, or competitive athletic conferences, these programs are a key draw.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Dowling Catholic that serve students from communities like Orient?
Enrollment timelines for top Des Moines-area private schools are often earlier and more structured than public school registration. For high schools like Dowling Catholic, the process for incoming 9th graders often begins a full year in advance, with open houses in the fall and application deadlines in the winter (e.g., January or February). Placement tests or shadow days are usually required. For K-8 schools like St. Malachy, it's crucial to contact the admissions office well before the spring semester, as spaces can be limited. Siblings of current students and parish members (for Catholic schools) often receive priority, so Orient families should plan to initiate inquiries early in the calendar year for the following fall.
How do the class sizes and community environment of private schools near Orient compare to those of the local public school district, Orient-Macksburg?
The Orient-Macksburg Community School District is a very small, close-knit K-12 system where class sizes are inherently small, often with single-digit students per grade. In contrast, private schools like Des Moines Christian or St. Malachy offer small, focused class sizes (typically 15-25 students) but within a much larger total student body, creating a different dynamic. This provides a balance of personalized attention and a broader peer network. The community environment in faith-based schools is explicitly shaped by religious values, which is a distinct difference from the secular public school. For some Orient families, the choice hinges on whether they prefer the ultra-local, rural public environment or are seeking a specific faith-based community and expanded resources, even with a commute.