The Best Private Schools in Templeton, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Templeton. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Kuemper Catholic School System
Catholic School System
Kuemper Catholic School System is a highly-regarded private Catholic school serving Templeton and the broader Carroll County area. The school offers comprehensive education from preschool through 12th grade with a strong college preparatory focus. Kuemper features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-based environment, with high graduation rates and college acceptance records. Extracurricular programs include competitive athletics, music, drama, and various clubs.
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IKM-Manning Elementary School
IKM-Manning Community School District
IKM-Manning Elementary serves students from Templeton and surrounding communities with a comprehensive elementary education program. The school is part of the consolidated IKM-Manning district that brings together multiple rural communities. They offer strong foundational academics with dedicated teachers, modern facilities including updated classrooms and technology resources, and a supportive learning environment. The school emphasizes individualized learning approaches and maintains small class sizes that allow for personalized attention.
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Glidden-Ralston Community School
Glidden-Ralston Community School District
Glidden-Ralston Community School serves students from Templeton and surrounding rural communities with a comprehensive K-12 educational program. The school is known for its strong academic foundation and personalized approach to learning. They offer robust agriculture education programs reflecting the rural community, along with college preparatory courses, fine arts, and competitive athletics. The school maintains small class sizes and features updated facilities including technology resources and specialized classrooms. Parent satisfaction is high due to the community-oriented atmosphere and dedicated teaching staff.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Templeton, Iowa
What are the actual private school options available for families residing in Templeton, Iowa?
Templeton itself is a very small community, so there are no private schools physically located within the town. However, families in Templeton commonly look to nearby districts for private education. The primary option is the Kuemper Catholic School System in Carroll (about a 15-minute drive), which offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade program. IKM-Manning Elementary is a public school in Manning, and Glidden-Ralston is a public school district; they are not private institutions. For private education, Kuemper is the dominant choice, and some families may also consider Christian academies in larger surrounding cities like Denison or Jefferson, depending on their willingness to commute.
How does tuition at Kuemper Catholic School in Carroll work for a family from Templeton, and are there any Iowa-specific financial aid options?
Kuemper Catholic School operates on a parish-based tuition model. Families from Templeton, who likely belong to a local Catholic parish (like St. Mary's in Templeton or a neighboring church), should first register with their parish. Tuition rates are then significantly subsidized for registered, contributing parishioners. Non-parishioners pay a higher rate. For the 2024-2025 academic year, parishioner tuition is approximately $2,500-$3,500 per elementary student, while high school is higher. Iowa offers the "Student Tuition Organization (STO)" tax credit program, which provides need-based scholarships for students attending accredited private schools. Applying for an STO scholarship through Kuemper is a crucial step to reduce costs. Iowa's 529 Plan (College Savings Iowa) can also be used for K-12 private school tuition.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs does the Kuemper Catholic School System offer that might attract Templeton families?
Kuemper provides several programs that distinguish it from the small public schools in the Templeton area. Academically, it offers a strong college-prep curriculum with a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual-credit opportunities through partnerships with local colleges like DMACC and Briar Cliff University—options often more limited in very small rural districts. For extracurriculars, Kuemper fields a full slate of athletic teams (competing in the Hawkeye 10 Conference) and has robust music, drama, and speech programs. A key differentiator is its dedicated agricultural education program and FFA chapter, which is highly relevant for families in the agricultural community of Templeton and Carroll County.
What is the enrollment process and timeline for a Templeton student to join Kuemper Catholic School?
The process typically begins in January for the following fall. Families should first contact Kuemper's admissions office to express interest and schedule a tour. Critical steps include: 1) Registering with your home parish in the Templeton area, 2) Completing Kuemper's online application (due in early spring), 3) Applying for financial aid and an Iowa STO scholarship (deadlines are usually in the spring), and 4) Submitting birth and baptismal certificates, along with academic records from the previous school. For kindergarten, children must be 5 by September 15. Early application is encouraged, especially for new families, as some grades may have waiting lists. Kuemper hosts open houses in the winter which are ideal for Templeton parents to attend.
For a Templeton family, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school (IKM-Manning) and a private school like Kuemper?
The decision hinges on several location-specific factors. **Transportation:** Public school IKM-Manning provides busing for Templeton residents, while attending Kuemper requires personal transportation (about a 15-mile drive to Carroll). **Cost:** IKM-Manning is tuition-free. Kuemper requires tuition, though financial aid is available. **Environment & Curriculum:** IKM-Manning offers a small, community-centered public education. Kuemper offers a faith-based environment with daily religion classes and Mass, alongside a typically wider selection of secondary-level courses and extracurricular activities due to its larger size. **Community Ties:** Consider where your child's peer group will be—locally in Manning/Templeton or within the Carroll and broader Catholic community. Many Templeton families value the combination of a rural home life with the expanded academic and social opportunities a regional private school like Kuemper provides.