The Best Private Schools in Wheatland, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Wheatland. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Rivermont Collegiate
Independent
Rivermont Collegiate is the only independent, International Baccalaureate World School in the Quad Cities region, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. The school offers a globally-focused education with small class sizes (average 12:1 student-teacher ratio) and personalized attention. Academic programs include the full IB continuum, advanced STEM courses, and extensive arts programming. The historic campus features modernized classrooms, science laboratories, and technology resources. The school consistently produces graduates who attend selective colleges and universities.
Programs:
Assumption High School
Diocese of Davenport Catholic Schools
Assumption High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving students from throughout the Quad Cities area, including Wheatland. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 20+ Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive STEM initiatives, and outstanding fine arts programs. Facilities include modern science labs, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic facilities. The school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate with graduates attending top universities nationwide. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high with praise for the supportive community and academic excellence.
Programs:
Wahlert Catholic High School
Holy Family Catholic Schools
Wahlert Catholic High School is a comprehensive college preparatory school serving students from throughout eastern Iowa, including the Wheatland area. The school offers a challenging academic curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, a dedicated STEM academy, and robust fine arts programs. Facilities include state-of-the-art science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community service alongside academic achievement, with graduates consistently earning admission to competitive colleges and universities.
Programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Wheatland, Iowa
What are the realistic private school options for a family living in Wheatland, Iowa, given that the top-named schools are in other cities?
For families in Wheatland, IA, private education primarily involves commuting to schools in larger nearby cities. The schools often mentioned, like Assumption High School and Wahlert Catholic High School, are located in Davenport and Dubuque, respectively, which are approximately 45-60 minute drives. Rivermont Collegiate is also in Bettendorf. There are typically no private K-12 schools physically within Wheatland's city limits. Your options will require considering transportation logistics, such as carpooling or utilizing limited school-provided bus routes from central pickup points. Many local families also consider smaller parochial schools in closer towns like DeWitt or Maquoketa for younger grades.
How does Iowa's School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit program affect private school tuition for Wheatland residents?
Iowa's STO program is a crucial financial consideration. It allows donors to receive a state tax credit for contributions to nonprofit STOs, which then grant need-based financial aid to students attending private schools. As a Wheatland parent, you can apply for these grants through the STO that partners with your chosen school (e.g., the Diocese of Davenport STO for Catholic schools). This can significantly reduce the listed tuition. For the 2023-24 school year, average tuition at eastern Iowa Catholic high schools is approximately $8,000-$10,000, but with STO grants and parish subsidies (for active members), the out-of-pocket cost can be much lower. It's essential to apply for aid early through the school and the STO.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are accessible to Wheatland students at these regional private high schools?
The regional private schools offer programs that smaller rural public schools may not. Assumption High School in Davenport has a strong STEM focus with advanced robotics and engineering courses. Wahlert Catholic in Dubuque offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, a rarity in the area. Rivermont Collegiate emphasizes global education and project-based learning with a college-preparatory lens. For a student from Wheatland, accessing these programs means a commute, but they provide specialized tracks in areas like biomedical sciences, world languages, and fine arts that can enhance college applications. Many also have robust partnerships with local colleges for dual-credit courses.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for a Wheatland student applying to a private high school like Assumption or Wahlert?
The enrollment process for these schools begins early, often a full year before the start of the academic year. For fall 2025 entry, applications typically open in August or September of 2024. The process involves submitting an application, academic records from your Wheatland-area school, teacher recommendations, and attending an entrance exam (like the HSPT) usually held in January. Financial aid applications through the STO and school are due in the spring. It's critical to plan for shadow days (where your student spends a day at the school), which are best scheduled in the fall. Given the commute, families should inquire about late activity bus options or carpool networks during the application process.
How do the class sizes and community environment of private schools in the Davenport/Dubuque corridor compare to the public school experience in Wheatland?
The Midland Community School District, which serves Wheatland, is a small, close-knit rural district. In contrast, private schools like Assumption or Wahlert offer a larger but still personalized environment. Midland High School has a graduating class of around 50-60 students, while the private schools have classes of 150-200. This means more peer options and broader extracurricular offerings in private schools, but potentially less individual recognition in a very large public school. The private school community is often faith-based and draws from a wider geographic area, creating a network across eastern Iowa. For a Wheatland family, the choice balances the intimate, local familiarity of Midland with the specialized academic/activity offerings and distinct values environment of a regional private school.