How much does the CTO give Des Moines Catholic school families?
$2.7 million went to 1,879 students at 16 Catholic schools in the round reported on September 2, 2026, funded by donors who gave in 2025.
The diocese says CTO awards are applied to tuition first; the ESA and parish or school aid follow.
Which Catholic schools in our four counties can use CTO and the ESA?
13 Catholic schools in the metro data, from St. Luke the Evangelist in Ankeny to St. Patrick in Perry and Dowling Catholic in West Des Moines, are on the state's accredited list, so both funding sources apply. Each school page shows its accreditation.
How common is the ESA in the diocese?
In 2024-25, 3,780 students at diocese schools used an ESA, about 55 percent of enrollment, and roughly 35 percent of those were new to Catholic schools, the diocese reported in April 2025.
What Catholic Tuition Organization is and isn't
| It is | It isn't |
|---|---|
| A diocesan STO grant | A parish discount |
| Stackable with the ESA | A replacement for the school's own aid |
| For incomes below 400% of poverty | Merit-based |