By community
Private schools in Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury
The city's older west and north-side neighborhoods, from the East Village to Beaverdale and the Grand Avenue corridor. 6 private schools are in our data here; 6 can take the $8,148 Students First ESA.
Where this comes from. Accreditation and ESA eligibility: Iowa Department of Education 2025-26 Nonpublic School Building Directory (address file March 16, 2026), retrieved October 30, 2026; the ESA can only be used at schools on that list. Enrollment and religious affiliation: NCES Private School Survey 2023-24 (2021-22 for schools that did not respond). Tuition is not reported to either agency, so confirm it with the school.
Which private schools in Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury can take the Iowa ESA?
6 of the 6 private schools in Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury in our data are on Iowa's accredited nonpublic list: Apiary Leadership Academy, Bergman Academy, Holy Trinity School, Mt. Olive Lutheran School, St. Augustin School, St. Theresa School.
6
Private schools in the data6
On Iowa's accredited nonpublic list, so the Students First ESA can be used$8,148
2026-27 full-year ESA per K-12 student5
Report a pre-K class (federal survey)0
Run through grade 120
Not on the accredited list (no ESA)By type
Catholic Schools
3 schools here
Browse →Independent, Montessori & Specialty Schools
2 schools here
Browse →Christian Schools
1 school here
Browse →All 6 schools in Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury
| School | Type | Community | Grades | ESA (state accredited list) | Accreditor | Students (federal survey) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apiary Leadership Academy 521 E Locust St, STE 302, Des Moines 50309 | Independent, Montessori & Specialty Schools | Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury | K-8 | ✓ Accredited | Middle States Association | — |
| Bergman Academy 100 45th St, Des Moines 50312 | Independent, Montessori & Specialty Schools | Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | Independent Schools Association of the Central States | 281 |
| Holy Trinity School 2922 Beaver Ave, Des Moines 50310 | Catholic Schools | Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 358 |
| Mt. Olive Lutheran School 5625 Franklin, Des Moines 50310 | Christian Schools | Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | National Lutheran School Accreditation | 191 |
| St. Augustin School 4320 Grand Ave, Des Moines 50312 | Catholic Schools | Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 240 |
| St. Theresa School 5810 Cara Carpenter Ave, Des Moines 50311 | Catholic Schools | Des Moines: Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 221 |
ZIP codes: 50309, 50310, 50311, 50312, 50314
Find funding for a school in Downtown, Beaverdale, Drake & Waterbury
Two minutes, five questions. A School Funding Advisor calls back with your ESA, grant and credit options and the dates that apply.