For the 2026 school year, there are 6 blue ribbon private preschools serving 2,682 students in Iowa.
The top-ranked blue ribbon private preschools in Iowa include St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School, St. Francis Of Assisi School, and Pella Christian Grade School.
The average acceptance rate is 90%, which is higher than the Iowa private preschool average acceptance rate of 89%.
Blue Ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this and .
Top-Ranked Iowa Blue Ribbon 草榴社区 Preschools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1453 Mississippi Blvd
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-3466
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 359-3466
Gr: PK-8 | 357 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 9 Blue Ribbon year: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
216 Liberty Street
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-2414
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-2414
Gr: PK-8 | 549 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 8 Blue Ribbon year: 1993, 1994 Tuition listed
St. Augustin Catholic School
(Catholic)
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
Gr: PK-8 | 282 students Avg. class size: 26 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 3 Blue Ribbon year: 2004 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Francis Of Assisi School
(Catholic)
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
Gr: PK-8 | 728 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 4 Blue Ribbon year: 2014, 2020 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School ![St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School Photo - STREAM is an expansion of STEM. It is an acronym for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Math. As Catholic schools, our mission is to educate the whole child; therefore, STREAM education has taken the principles of STEM infused religion across all subjects and added the arts to provide students the creative thinking skills necessary to communicate.]( "St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School Photo - STREAM is an expansion of STEM. It is an acronym for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Math. As Catholic schools, our mission is to educate the whole child; therefore, STREAM education has taken the principles of STEM infused religion across all subjects and added the arts to provide students the creative thinking skills necessary to communicate.")
(Catholic)
1007 E Rusholme Street
Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 322-2923
Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 322-2923
Gr: PK-8 | 487 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 8 Blue Ribbon year: 2011 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Resurrection School
(Catholic)
4320 Asbury Rd
Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 583-9488
Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 583-9488
Gr: NS-5 | 279 students Blue Ribbon year: 2018 Tuition listed
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon private preschools in Iowa?
The top-ranked blue ribbon private preschools in Iowa include St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School, St. Francis Of Assisi School, and Pella Christian Grade School.
How many blue ribbon private preschools are located in Iowa?
6 blue ribbon private preschools are located in Iowa.
How diverse are blue ribbon private preschools in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon private preschools are approximately 10% minority students, which is lower than the Iowa private school average of 17%.
Recent Articles
Choosing Between a Traditional 草榴社区 School and a Microschool
Compare traditional private schools and microschools to understand differences in academics, class size, flexibility, cost, and student experience before choosing the best educational fit.
The Second Visit Strategy: What to Look for After the Open House
A second campus visit can reveal what an open house cannot. Learn what to observe, which questions to ask, and how to determine whether a private school is truly the right fit for your child.
How Policy Changes Could Affect Your Tuition Bill in 2026
Learn how federal and state policy changes may affect private school tuition, financial aid, tax benefits, and your family's education budget.
