The Best Private Schools in Worthington, Iowa
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Worthington. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Wahlert Catholic High School
Holy Family Catholic Schools
Wahlert Catholic High School is a highly-regarded private Catholic high school serving the greater Dubuque area and surrounding communities including Worthington. As part of the Holy Family Catholic Schools system, it offers a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with advanced placement courses, strong STEM programs, and extensive extracurricular activities. The school features modern facilities including science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, Wahlert emphasizes individualized attention and character development alongside academic excellence. The school serves students from multiple surrounding counties and has a strong reputation for college placement success.
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Holy Family Catholic Schools - Elementary & Middle Schools
Holy Family Catholic Schools
Holy Family Catholic Schools operates a network of elementary and middle schools throughout Dubuque that serve families from Worthington and surrounding areas. The system includes St. Columbkille Elementary, Resurrection Elementary, and Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School, all offering comprehensive Catholic education from preschool through 8th grade. The schools feature rigorous academic programs aligned with Iowa Core standards, integrated technology, specialized instruction in music and art, and competitive athletic programs. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, Holy Family schools provide a nurturing environment focused on academic achievement and faith formation, making them a popular choice for families in the greater Dubuque region.
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Beckman Catholic High School
Beckman Catholic School System
Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville serves students from multiple eastern Iowa counties including those from Worthington area. This well-established Catholic high school offers a balanced educational experience with strong college preparatory programs, career and technical education pathways, and comprehensive extracurricular offerings. The school features modern science and technology labs, recently renovated facilities, and a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Beckman has a strong tradition of academic excellence with high standardized test scores and college acceptance rates. The school's location in Dyersville makes it accessible for families in Delaware and Dubuque counties seeking quality private Catholic education with a proven track record of student success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Worthington, Iowa
What are the private school options for families living in Worthington, Iowa, and are there any directly in town?
Worthington itself is a very small, rural community and does not have a private school within its town limits. However, families in Worthington commonly access well-regarded private Catholic schools in nearby larger towns. The primary options include Holy Family Catholic Schools, which serve elementary and middle school students in Dubuque (about 25 miles away), and two Catholic high schools: Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque and Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville (approximately 20 miles away). Transportation is a key consideration, with many families carpooling or utilizing limited school-provided bus routes from surrounding areas.
How does tuition for private Catholic schools near Worthington, IA, work, and are there financial aid options for rural families?
Tuition for schools like Holy Family, Wahlert, and Beckman is set annually by the Diocese of Dubuque. For the 2023-2024 school year, parishioner rates (for active members of supporting parishes) were typically between $4,000-$5,500 for the first child, with discounts for additional siblings. Non-parishioner rates are higher. Critically, all these schools offer substantial financial aid and tuition assistance programs. Iowa also has the Student Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit program, which provides need-based scholarships to students attending private schools. Many rural families in the Worthington area utilize a combination of parish subsidies, STO scholarships, and direct financial aid from the schools to make tuition manageable.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools serving Worthington students offer that differ from the local public school?
While the local public schools provide a solid education, the private Catholic high schools accessible to Worthington families offer distinct programs. For example, Wahlert Catholic in Dubuque offers a comprehensive Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum, a competitive engineering program, and a wider range of world languages. Beckman Catholic in Dyersville is known for its strong agricultural science and STEM programs, which resonate with many rural Iowa families. Both schools offer theology classes and faith-based service learning requirements, which are central to their mission. For younger students, Holy Family Catholic Schools emphasize a K-8 model with a consistent values-based environment before the transition to high school.
What is the enrollment process and timeline for families in Worthington looking to join Holy Family Catholic Schools or the Catholic high schools?
The enrollment process for these diocesan schools typically begins in January or February for the following academic year. The first step is to express interest and schedule a tour by contacting the specific school's admissions office. For elementary grades at Holy Family, priority is often given to active parishioners of supporting Catholic churches and siblings of current students. For high schools like Wahlert and Beckman, students from Worthington would apply in the fall of their 8th-grade year, with acceptance decisions made by early spring. It's crucial for Worthington families to plan ahead due to the commute and to ensure they meet any parish registration requirements to qualify for lower tuition rates.
For a family in rural Worthington, what are the practical considerations when choosing between the local public school and a private Catholic school a 20-30 minute drive away?
The decision involves weighing several location-specific factors. The local public school in the Western Dubuque Community School District offers the convenience of proximity, no tuition, and strong community ties. Opting for a private school like Beckman or Wahlert involves a significant daily commitment to transportation, fuel costs, and coordinating around extracurricular activities that end later in the day. However, families often choose the private option for the smaller class sizes, specific college-prep or faith-based education, and the opportunity to join a wider regional community. Many parents find the network of families from across Dubuque County valuable. It's recommended to visit both the local public school and the private options to compare culture, academic offerings, and transportation logistics firsthand.