Do Christian schools in Des Moines accept the Iowa ESA?
Most do. Of the 17 Christian schools in our data, 14 appear on the state's 2025-26 accredited nonpublic list. The rest are a small preschool and two very small schools in Norwalk and Dallas Center that the federal survey lists but the state does not.
Who accredits them?
Several bodies: Christian Schools International (CSI) for schools such as Ankeny Christian Academy and the Joshua Christian Academy campuses, Cognia for Des Moines Christian School and J.W. Reed Christian Academy, National Lutheran School Accreditation for Mt. Olive Lutheran, and the Association of Classical Christian Schools for Two Rivers Classical Academy. Grand View Christian's buildings carry state or special accreditation.
What else can a Christian school family stack?
The school's STO grant if the family is under 400 percent of poverty, church-member pricing where offered, the Edu Fund Partner Scholarship at participating schools, and the tuition and textbook credit on whatever the family pays itself.
| On the state accredited list | Not on the list | |
|---|---|---|
| ESA can pay tuition | Yes | No |
| Tuition and textbook credit | Yes, on out-of-pocket costs | Only if the school meets the credit's accreditation test |
| Example in our data | Victory Christian Academy, Indianola | Norwalk Christian Academy |
What should we do next?
Take the two-minute funding check. An advisor confirms which of these sources fit your child and sends the dates that apply.