By community
Private schools in West Des Moines
A city split between Polk and Dallas counties, with the metro's Catholic high school, parish K-8s, a classical academy and an Islamic school. 7 private schools are in our data here; 5 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 West Des Moines can take the Iowa ESA?
5 of the 7 private schools in West Des Moines in our data are on Iowa's accredited nonpublic list: AlRazi Academy, Dowling Catholic High School, Sacred Heart School, St. Francis of Assisi School, Two Rivers Classical Academy.
7
Private schools in the data5
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)2
Run through grade 122
Not on the accredited list (no ESA)By type
Catholic Schools
3 schools here
Browse →Christian Schools
2 schools here
Browse →Independent, Montessori & Specialty Schools
1 school here
Browse →All 7 schools in West Des Moines
| School | Type | Community | Grades | ESA (state accredited list) | Accreditor | Students (federal survey) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlRazi Academy 1119 5th St, West Des Moines 50265 | Islamic & Other Faith Schools | West Des Moines | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | Independent Schools Association of the Central States | 58 |
| Dowling Catholic High School 1400 Buffalo Rd, West Des Moines 50265 | Catholic Schools | West Des Moines | 9-12 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 1,354 |
| Montessori Children's House 1505 42Nd St, West Des Moines 50266 | Independent, Montessori & Specialty Schools | West Des Moines | PK-2 | Not on list | — | 13 |
| Sacred Heart School 1601 Grand Ave., West Des Moines 50265 | Catholic Schools | West Des Moines | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 497 |
| Shepherd's Flock Early Learning Center 3900 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines 50265 | Christian Schools | West Des Moines | PK-K | Not on list | — | 21 |
| St. Francis of Assisi School 7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines 50266 | Catholic Schools | West Des Moines | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 680 |
| Two Rivers Classical Academy 3250 SE Soteria Ave, West Des Moines 50265 | Christian Schools | West Des Moines | K-12 | ✓ Accredited | Association of Classical Christian Schools | — |
ZIP codes: 50265, 50266
Find funding for a school in West Des Moines
Two minutes, five questions. A School Funding Advisor calls back with your ESA, grant and credit options and the dates that apply.