The Best Private Schools in Redfield, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Redfield. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Dowling Catholic High School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
Dowling Catholic High School is a premier private Catholic college preparatory school serving the greater Des Moines area, including Redfield. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 23 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM academy. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic complexes. With a 100% college acceptance rate and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, Dowling provides personalized attention while maintaining high academic standards. The school emphasizes faith formation alongside academic excellence.
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St. Augustin Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
St. Augustin Catholic School provides a comprehensive education from preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout the Des Moines metropolitan area including Redfield. The school features a strong academic foundation with integrated technology, dedicated STEM labs, and Spanish language instruction from kindergarten. The campus includes modern classrooms, a full-sized gymnasium, and dedicated art and music facilities. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high with families praising the nurturing environment, strong community feel, and excellent teacher quality.
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Holy Trinity Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
Holy Trinity Catholic School offers a comprehensive educational experience for students from preschool through 8th grade, serving the greater Des Moines region including Redfield families. The school emphasizes academic excellence with small class sizes, individualized instruction, and comprehensive technology integration across all grade levels. The curriculum includes robust fine arts programs, competitive athletics, and strong community service components. Facilities feature modern classrooms, science labs, art studios, and extensive playground areas designed for different age groups.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Redfield, Iowa
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Redfield, Iowa, given that the top-named schools are in the Des Moines metro area?
While Redfield itself is a small town without a private school campus, families typically look to neighboring communities in the Des Moines metro for options. The schools often considered include Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines (about a 25-minute drive), and elementary/middle schools like St. Augustin in Des Moines or Holy Trinity in Des Moines. Transportation is a key consideration, as most require parent-provided travel or participation in limited bus service zones. Some families also explore smaller parochial schools in nearby towns like Adel or Waukee, depending on the grade level.
How does Iowa's "School Tuition Organization" (STO) tax credit program affect private school tuition for Redfield residents?
Iowa's STO program is a significant financial consideration. It allows donors to receive a state tax credit for contributions to nonprofit tuition organizations, which then provide need-based scholarships to students attending private schools. As a Redfield parent, you can apply for these scholarships directly through the participating private school (like Dowling Catholic or a partnered elementary school). This can substantially reduce the out-of-pocket tuition cost. It's important to apply early, as funds are limited, and to understand that the scholarship amount is based on state-defined income guidelines.
For a Redfield student interested in agriculture or STEM, do local private schools offer specialized programs that leverage Iowa's context?
Yes, several area private schools have developed strong programs that connect to Iowa's core industries. Dowling Catholic High School, for instance, has a robust STEM program with courses in engineering, biotechnology, and computer science, and often partners with Des Moines-area tech and agricultural businesses for internships and projects. While not always labeled as "agriculture," science curricula frequently incorporate agriscience principles. For younger grades, schools like Holy Trinity integrate hands-on science and technology labs. These programs benefit from being in the state capital region, with access to unique resources and partnerships that a rural school might not have.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and key deadline for a Redfield kindergartener looking to start at a Des Moines-area Catholic elementary school?
The enrollment process for schools like St. Augustin or Holy Trinity typically begins very early—often a full year in advance. For a fall kindergarten start, most schools open applications in January or February of the prior year. Key steps include attending an open house (usually held in the fall), submitting an application by the priority deadline (often in March), and completing a family interview or assessment. For Redfield families, it's crucial to inquire about geographic parish boundaries, as some schools give priority to registered parishioners of supporting churches. Waiting lists are common, so initiating contact by the fall before desired enrollment is highly recommended.
How does the community and educational environment of a metro-area private school compare to the Redfield public school experience for my child?
This is a fundamental choice. Redfield Elementary (part of the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District) offers a close-knit, small-school environment where your child would likely know every classmate. Choosing a larger private school in the metro area offers a different set of advantages: significantly broader extracurricular offerings (e.g., more sports, clubs, fine arts), more diverse student populations, and often more specialized academic tracks or Advanced Placement courses at the high school level. The trade-off involves daily commuting time from Redfield and a potentially less intimate community feel. The decision often hinges on whether you prioritize the specialized resources and scale of a metro private school or the convenience and tight community of the local public system.