Why does accreditation matter so much for a new Iowa school?
Because the Students First ESA can only be used at an Iowa accredited nonpublic school. A church school or microschool without accreditation can enroll students, but none of them can bring ESA money with them.
What kinds of accreditation do Des Moines-area schools hold?
Three kinds appear on the state's 2025-26 list: state accreditation by the Iowa Department of Education, independent accreditation through an approved agency, and special accreditation. In our four counties the agencies named include Christian Schools International, Cognia, ISACS, the Middle States Association, the Association of Classical Christian Schools and National Lutheran School Accreditation.
What does an accredited school have to do once families use the ESA?
Report enrollment through Certified Enrollment, mark a student's withdrawal or non-attendance in the ESA portal within three business days, enter tuition and fees for parents to confirm, and file the state's student reporting on schedule (for 2026-27, winter reporting is due January 30, 2027 and spring reporting June 24, 2027).
What about homeschool co-ops and paid instructors?
House File 2754, signed May 12, 2026, removed the four-unrelated-student limit for independent private instructors and the ban on charging for homeschool instruction. That makes small paid programs easier to run, but they remain outside the ESA unless they become accredited schools.
How should a congregation start?
Talk to an accrediting agency early, budget the first year without assuming ESA revenue until accreditation is in place, and decide whether a preschool partnership with the local district for four-year-olds fits your building. Then let families find you: a verified listing here shows them exactly where their ESA can go.
| Accredited nonpublic school | Independent private instruction / co-op | |
|---|---|---|
| Students First ESA | Yes | No |
| Tuition and textbook credit for families | Yes | Yes (private instruction) |
| State reporting | Certified Enrollment and SRI | Not the same reporting |