By type & community
Private Schools With Pre-K in Des Moines: South Side
3 private schools with pre-k in Des Moines: South Side; 3 are on the state's accredited list for the $8,148 ESA. South of the river toward the airport, with two Catholic parish schools, an Adventist school and an independent secondary program.
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.
The ESA starts at kindergarten. For four-year-olds, ask whether the school partners with its public district on Statewide Voluntary Preschool and whether it takes Child Care Assistance.
| School | Type | Community | Grades | ESA (state accredited list) | Accreditor | Students (federal survey) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ the King School 701 Wall Ave, Des Moines 50315 | Catholic Schools | Des Moines: South Side | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 172 |
| Des Moines Adventist School 2317 Watrous Avenue, Des Moines 50321 | Christian Schools | Des Moines: South Side | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | Middle States Association | 45 |
| St. Anthony School 16 Columbus Ave, Des Moines 50315 | Catholic Schools | Des Moines: South Side | PK-8 | ✓ Accredited | State of Iowa | 345 |
All private schools in Des Moines: South Side All private schools with pre-k in the metro
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