The Best Private Schools in Woodward, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Woodward. 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 Catholic college-preparatory school serving the greater Des Moines area, including Woodward. Founded by the Sisters of St. Francis, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 22 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM Academy. The 70-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. With a 99% college acceptance rate and average ACT scores consistently above the state and national averages, Dowling provides a faith-based education focused on academic excellence, character development, and service learning.
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St. Augustin Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
St. Augustin Catholic School provides a comprehensive Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade, serving families throughout the Des Moines metro area including Woodward. The school emphasizes academic excellence within a faith-filled community, offering small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a well-rounded curriculum. Programs include daily Spanish instruction, advanced STEM curriculum, comprehensive fine arts, and competitive athletics. The school features modern classrooms, science labs, technology resources, and extensive playground facilities. St. Augustin consistently produces students well-prepared for high school with strong foundational skills and moral character.
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Holy Trinity Catholic School
Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools
Holy Trinity Catholic School serves students from preschool through 8th grade, drawing families from across the Des Moines metropolitan area including Woodward. The school provides a challenging academic program rooted in Catholic values, with small class sizes and individualized attention. Curriculum features include comprehensive technology integration with 1:1 device program, advanced mathematics, science labs, and strong language arts foundation. The school offers extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports, music programs, drama, and community service initiatives. Holy Trinity's graduates consistently excel in local high schools, particularly in advanced placement and honors courses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Woodward, Iowa
What are the private school options for families living in Woodward, Iowa, and are they all Catholic-affiliated?
For residents of Woodward, Iowa, the primary private school options are Catholic institutions, reflecting the strong faith-based educational tradition in the area. The notable schools include Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines (which serves Woodward students), St. Augustin Catholic School in Des Moines, and Holy Trinity Catholic School in nearby Des Moines. There are no non-religious or other faith-based private schools physically located within Woodward itself. Families typically commute to the Des Moines metro area for these options. It's important to research each school's specific mission, curriculum, and feeder patterns to find the best fit.
How does the tuition for private schools serving Woodward, IA, compare, and are there Iowa-specific financial aid options?
Tuition varies among the Catholic schools accessible to Woodward families. For the 2023-2024 school year, Dowling Catholic High School's tuition is approximately $11,500, while elementary schools like St. Augustin and Holy Trinity are generally lower, often ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 for parishioners. A critical Iowa-specific benefit is the **School Tuition Organization (STO) Tax Credit Program**. Iowa taxpayers can donate to an STO (like the AIM STO for Dowling) and receive a 75% state tax credit, which funds need-based tuition grants for families. Additionally, all schools offer their own financial aid and multi-child discounts. It's essential to apply for aid directly through the school and the relevant STO.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Woodward, IA, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Des Moines area accessible to Woodward students often provide distinct programs rooted in their religious identity and college-prep focus. Dowling Catholic High School, for instance, offers extensive Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a renowned performing arts program, and competitive athletics in the Iowa high school class 4A. At the elementary level, schools like St. Augustin and Holy Trinity integrate faith into all subjects and may offer specialized STEM initiatives or foreign language exposure. A key differentiator is the often smaller class sizes and a consistent values-based education framework throughout the K-12 journey, which is a coordinated offering within the Des Moines Catholic school system.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools like Dowling that serve Woodward, Iowa, families?
The enrollment process for schools like Dowling Catholic, St. Augustin, and Holy Trinity is structured and often begins almost a year in advance. For Dowling Catholic High School, the process for incoming 9th graders typically starts with an Open House in the fall (October-November), with application deadlines in early winter (January-February). Placement tests are usually held in January. For elementary schools, timelines are similar, with priority often given to active parishioners and siblings of current students. It is crucial for Woodward families to contact the admissions office of their chosen school early, as some grades have waiting lists. Registration for the following academic year is usually finalized by the spring.
As a Woodward resident, what are the key considerations for choosing between the local Woodward-Granger public school district and a private Catholic school in the Des Moines area?
The decision involves several location-specific factors. The **Woodward-Granger Community School District** offers the convenience of proximity, no tuition, and a strong community-school connection. In contrast, commuting to a Des Moines-area private school involves a daily drive of 20-40 minutes but provides a faith-based education with a consistent moral framework from elementary through high school. Academically, you'd compare specific programs, such as Woodward-Granger's offerings against Dowling's AP breadth. Socially, consider whether you prefer your child's peer group to be geographically local or faith-community based. Financially, you must weigh the cost of tuition (with available aid) against the value of the religious and academic environment. Many Woodward families choose private schools for the continuity of Catholic education and the perceived college preparatory advantage.