The Best Private Schools in West Des Moines, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in West Des Moines. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bergman Academy
Independent School
Located in nearby Urbandale and serving the greater West Des Moines metropolitan area, Bergman Academy is an independent school offering an innovative International Baccalaureate education for students from preschool through 5th grade. The school is renowned for its Spanish immersion program, project-based learning approach, and commitment to developing global citizens. With exceptionally low student-teacher ratios and a focus on whole-child development, Bergman provides a nurturing environment that challenges students academically while fostering creativity and critical thinking skills. The school features modern facilities including dedicated art studios, science labs, and outdoor learning spaces.
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Dowling Catholic High School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
Dowling Catholic High School is a premier Catholic college preparatory school serving the West Des Moines area with a rigorous academic program and comprehensive extracurricular offerings. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts center, and athletic complexes. With a 100% college acceptance rate and numerous National Merit Scholars, Dowling emphasizes character formation alongside academic excellence through its Maroon & White leadership program. The school offers over 70 clubs and activities and competes in the state's largest athletic conference.
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School provides exceptional PreK-8 education with a strong focus on academic achievement and spiritual development. The school features small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and modern learning environments including technology-integrated classrooms and specialized science facilities. Their comprehensive curriculum includes advanced mathematics, literacy programs, and hands-on science instruction. The school community is known for its strong parent involvement and family atmosphere, with extensive extracurricular options including athletics, music, and community service programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in West Des Moines, Iowa
What are the primary types of private schools available in West Des Moines, Iowa, and how do they differ?
West Des Moines offers a few distinct types of private schools, primarily Catholic/parochial and independent non-sectarian options. The prominent Catholic schools, like St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School (K-8) and the highly-regarded Dowling Catholic High School, provide a faith-based education integrated with a college-prep curriculum. In contrast, Bergman Academy is an independent, secular school offering an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme with a focus on inquiry-based learning. This gives parents in West Des Moines a clear choice between religious and secular educational philosophies, both with strong academic reputations within the Des Moines metro area.
How does tuition for private schools in West Des Moines, IA, compare, and are there state-specific financial aid options?
Tuition in West Des Moines varies significantly by school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Dowling Catholic High School tuition is approximately $12,500, while elementary schools like St. Francis of Assisi are typically around $6,000-$7,000. Bergman Academy, as an independent school, has a higher tuition, roughly $17,000 for elementary grades. A critical Iowa-specific financial aid option is the **Student Tuition Organization (STO) Tax Credit program**. This allows Iowa taxpayers to receive a state tax credit for donations to STOs, which then provide need-based tuition grants to families at participating private schools, including those in West Des Moines. All schools also offer their own need-based financial aid and payment plans.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by West Des Moines private schools that leverage local resources?
Private schools in West Des Moines leverage the city's position as a business and cultural hub. Dowling Catholic boasts extensive STEM partnerships with local corporations like Principal Financial Group and John Deere, offering specialized courses and internships. Its Maroons athletic programs compete at the highest level in Iowa. Bergman Academy utilizes its location for its IB programme, with frequent field studies to the Des Moines Art Center, Science Center of Iowa, and local parks for environmental education. St. Francis of Assisi integrates service learning with local West Des Moines charities and parishes. These schools actively connect classroom learning to the broader Des Moines metropolitan community.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in West Des Moines, especially for families new to the area?
The enrollment process in West Des Moines private schools is highly structured and begins early. For schools like Dowling Catholic and St. Francis, priority is often given to siblings of current students and active parishioners of supporting Catholic churches. **Open houses and shadow days typically occur in the fall (October-November)**, with application deadlines for the following school year often in January or February. Bergman Academy also follows a similar early timeline. For families moving to West Des Moines outside this cycle, it's essential to contact the admissions office directly, as spaces may be available through a rolling admissions process, but waiting lists for popular grades are common. Early inquiry is strongly recommended.
For families considering the West Des Moines Community School District, what are the key differentiating factors of the local private schools?
The key differentiators for West Des Moines private schools are class size, educational philosophy, and community. While the highly-rated West Des Moines Public Schools are larger, private options offer significantly smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students) and more individualized attention. Philosophically, parents choose between the structured, faith-based moral framework of the Catholic schools or the globally-focused, inquiry-driven IB approach at Bergman. Furthermore, private schools in West Des Moines often foster tight-knit, multi-age communities where families are deeply involved. The trade-off involves tuition costs and, for some, a more limited range of in-house specialized services (like certain special education programs) compared to the extensive resources of the public district.