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²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Review - Established 2003
Westlakes KinderCare
Montessori Children's House
Ankeny Christian Academy Top 13 · Lowest Acceptance Rate (IA)

Best Polk County ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 33 private schools serving 8,996 students in Polk County, IA (there are , serving 84,542 public students). 10% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
The average tuition cost is $9,241, which is lower than the Iowa private school average tuition cost of $9,320.
65% of private schools in Polk County, IA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools: 33
  • # Students Served: 8,996
  • Average Tuition: $9,241
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 28%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 18 students
  • % Students of Color: 24%
  • View Polk County, IA School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools: 33
  • # Students Served: 8,996
  • Average Tuition: $9,241
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 28%
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Average Class Size: 18 students
  • % Students of Color: 24%
  • View Polk County, IA School Trends

Top Ranked Polk County ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools (2026-27)

Alrazi Academy Photo
Alrazi Academy
Gr: PK-8 | 168 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 2 | Extracurriculars: 2
Islamic
1119 5th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 255-0220
(1)
View Profile
Ankeny Christian Academy Photo
Ankeny Christian Academy
Gr: PK-12 | 509 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 4
Christian
1604 West 1st St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-8114
View Profile
Bergman Academy Photo
Bergman Academy
Gr: PK-8 | 336 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 3 | Extracurriculars: 5
100 45th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 274-0453
View Profile
Map of Des Moines Adventist School
Des Moines Adventist School
Gr: PK-8 | 41 students
Seventh Day Adventist
2317 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 285-7729
View Profile
Des Moines Christian School Photo
Des Moines Christian School
Gr: PK-12 | 1,086 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Christian
13007 Douglas Pkwy
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 334-2240
(2)
View Profile
Map of Dowling Catholic High School
Dowling Catholic High School
Gr: 9-12 | 1,389 students
Avg. class size: 23 students
Sports: 20
Catholic
1400 Buffalo Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 222-1015
View Profile
Map of Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity
Gr: PK-8 | 430 students
Catholic
2922 Beaver Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 255-3162
View Profile
Map of Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart School
Gr: K-8 | 511 students
Catholic
1601 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 223-1284
View Profile
Map of St. Anthony Elementary School
St. Anthony Elementary School
Gr: PK-8 | 349 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Catholic
16 Columbus Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 243-1874
(3)
View Profile
Map of St. Augustin Catholic School
St. Augustin Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 282 students
Avg. class size: 26 students
Sports: 5 | Extracurriculars: 3
Catholic
4320 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 279-5947
View Profile
Map of St. Francis Of Assisi School
St. Francis Of Assisi School
Gr: PK-8 | 728 students
Avg. class size: 22 students
Sports: 4
Catholic
7075 Ashworth Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 457-7167
View Profile
Map of St. Pius X Catholic School
St. Pius X Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 397 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 5
Catholic
3601 66th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-1061
View Profile
Map of St. Theresa Catholic School
St. Theresa Catholic School
Gr: PK-8 | 238 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 7 | Extracurriculars: 3
Catholic
5810 Carpenter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-0178
(2)
View Profile
Map of Ankeny KinderCare
Ankeny KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
3055 N. Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 964-0688
View Profile
Map of Christ The King School
Christ The King School
Gr: PK-8 | 233 students
Catholic
701 Wall Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 285-3349
View Profile
Map of Cottontail Creek Montessori School
Cottontail Creek Montessori School
Gr: PK-K | 93 students
Montessori School
7297 Nw Fisher Ln
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 289-1401
View Profile
Map of Empigo Academy
Empigo Academy
Gr: 9-12
Sports: 5
Christian
4801 Franklin Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 350-4008
View Profile
Map of Gospel Assembly Christian Academy
Gospel Assembly Christian Academy
Gr: 1-12 | 15 students
Christian
4665 72nd St
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 276-9047
View Profile
Map of Grimes KinderCare
Grimes KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
1101 NE Gateway Dr.
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 644-5282
View Profile
Map of Holy Family School
Holy Family School
Gr: K-8 | 208 students
Catholic
1265 E 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 262-8025
View Profile
[+] Show Closed ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools in Polk County, Iowa

Polk County ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools (Closed)

Country Club KinderCare Photo
Country Club KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
7210 Vista Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-9685
View Profile
Map of Lincoln Heights Lutheran School
Lincoln Heights Lutheran School
Gr: 1-8 | 14 students
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
1217 Sw Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 288-3013
View Profile

Overview

Category
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
34 Schools

Trends in Total Number of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Schools

YearPolk County Total Schools
202532
202433
202331
202230
202131
202031
201929
201830
201731
201632
201532
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Students
8,996 Students
52,730 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025360217179
2024355212172
2023330192174
2022338203185
2021325201180
2020320196171
2019318199175
2018294197172
2017287195180
2016287194178
2015278188167
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% Average Students of Color
24%
16%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202524%16%34%
202424%16%34%
202326%17%33%
202224%15%33%
202124%16%32%
202024%15%32%
201925%14%31%
201825%15%31%
201721%13%32%
201621%13%32%
201519%12%32%
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Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
619 Teachers
4,273 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
12:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202515:112:111:1
202415:112:111:1
202314:113:111:1
202215:113:111:1
202114:113:111:1
202014:113:112:1
201914:114:112:1
201814:114:112:1
201714:113:112:1
201614:113:112:1
201514:113:112:1
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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
46%
39%

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202546%40%55%
202450%41%54%
202350%41%54%
202250%41%54%
202150%42%54%
202055%42%54%
201955%42%53%
201853%39%53%
201752%36%53%
201652%38%52%
201553%39%52%
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Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

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Average Class Size
18 students
16 students

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025181615
2024201615
2023191515
2022191615
2021191615
2020191615
2019181615
2018181615
2017181515
2016181515
2015171515
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Average Number of AP Courses
10 courses
9 courses

Trends in Average Number of AP Courses Offered

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202510913
202410912
202310811
202210911
202110911
20208911
20198811
20187711
20176710
20166710
20156710
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Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
25

ACT Score Trends (2016-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025242526
2024242526
2023242526
2022242526
2021242526
2020242425
2019242425
2018242425
2017242425
2016252425
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Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$9,241
$9,320

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025$9,241$9,791$15,012
2024$5,359$7,091$13,254
2023$3,454$5,542$12,626
2022$3,454$5,359$12,187
2021$3,454$5,359$11,800
2020$3,418$5,279$11,512
2019$3,418$5,264$11,293
2018$3,291$5,153$11,017
2017$3,285$4,857$10,708
2016$2,965$5,552$10,356
2015$2,965$5,568$9,939
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Average Summer Program Cost
$225
$0
Average % on Financial Aid
28%
37%

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202528%37%34%
202428%38%34%
202332%38%34%
202232%38%33%
202132%38%33%
202032%36%32%
201932%36%31%
201836%37%30%
201736%35%30%
201636%34%29%
201535%33%28%
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Average Financial Aid Grant
$843
$2,780

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
2025$843$2,769$7,073
2024$843$2,727$6,930
2023$843$3,038$6,469
2022$843$2,364$6,289
2021$843$2,185$6,055
2020$843$2,161$5,921
2019$843$2,028$5,795
2018$665$1,968$5,456
2017$665$1,243$5,319
2016$777$1,160$5,105
2015$777$992$5,030
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Average Acceptance Rate
85%
87%

Acceptance Rate Trends (2015-2025)

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202585%85%81%
202496%94%85%
202396%93%85%
202296%94%85%
202196%94%85%
202099%94%85%
201999%93%85%
201899%93%85%
201799%95%85%
201699%97%85%
201599%97%85%
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Students by Ethnicity:

0.59
0.48

Diversity Score Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20250.590.470.65
20240.590.470.65
20230.580.500.65
20220.550.470.64
20210.550.470.64
20200.540.470.64
20190.560.460.63
20180.550.450.63
20170.420.390.61
20160.420.390.61
20150.420.390.61
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# American Indian Students
26 Students
116 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
373 Students
1,075 Students
% Asian Students
4%
2%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20255%3%5%
20245%2%5%
20234%3%5%
20224%2%4%
20214%3%4%
20205%2%4%
20193%2%4%
20183%2%4%
20173%2%4%
20163%2%4%
20153%2%4%
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# Hispanic Students
833 Students
3,392 Students
% Hispanic Students
9%
7%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20259%6%9%
20249%7%9%
20239%6%9%
20228%6%8%
20218%6%9%
20208%6%9%
20196%5%8%
20186%5%8%
20176%4%8%
20166%4%8%
20156%4%8%
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# Black Students
394 Students
1,537 Students
% Black Students
5%
3%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
20254%3%7%
20244%3%7%
20235%3%8%
20224%3%7%
20214%3%7%
20204%3%8%
20197%3%7%
20187%3%7%
20173%2%7%
20163%2%7%
20153%2%8%
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# White Students
5,328 Students
36,965 Students
% White Students
59%
70%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202559%70%52%
202460%71%52%
202361%68%52%
202264%71%54%
202164%70%54%
202065%71%54%
201963%72%56%
201865%72%56%
201775%77%58%
201675%76%58%
201575%76%58%
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# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
98 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
2,076 Students
9,674 Students
% of Others Students
23%
18%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearPolk County AverageIowa (IA) AverageNational Average
202523%18%26%
202422%17%26%
202320%20%25%
202219%18%25%
202119%18%25%
202017%18%24%
201920%18%24%
201818%18%23%
201713%15%22%
201613%16%22%
201513%16%21%
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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
3 extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked private schools in Polk County, IA include Alrazi Academy, Bergman Academy, and Ankeny Christian Academy.
How many private schools are located in Polk County?
33 private schools are located in Polk County.
How much do private schools cost in Polk County?
The average tuition cost is $9,241, which is lower than the Iowa private school average tuition cost of $9,320.
How diverse are private schools in Polk County?
Polk County private schools are approximately 24% minority students, which is higher than the Iowa private school average of 16%.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in private schools (compared to the IA state average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Polk County?
65% of private schools in Polk County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?

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