Average
#131 of 157 private schools in IA
Dowling Catholic High School
High School
1400 BUFFALO RD, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Enrollment
1,389
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,389
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#131 of 157
In West Des Moines
#2 of 3
public schools
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Dowling Catholic High School
High School in West Des Moines · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Clive Learning Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Walnut Creek Campus
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dowling Catholic High School
Dowling Catholic High School is a private high school in West Des Moines, IA. Dowling Catholic High School serves approximately 1,389 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Dowling Catholic High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #131 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Dowling Catholic High School show 80% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
Dowling Catholic High School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Dowling Catholic High School compares to the 14 public schools in West Des Moines, IA
Student Demographics
All Schools in West Des Moines
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dowling Catholic High School (this school) | 5.2 |
| Walnut Creek Campus | 3.7 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School | 5.5 |
| Hillside Elementary School | 4.9 |
| Stilwell Junior High School | 6.5 |
| Valley High School | 4.5 |
| Western Hills Elementary School | 3.7 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Learning Resource Center | — |
| Valley Southwoods | 5.7 |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School | 6.2 |
| Westridge Elementary | 6.2 |
| Brookview Elementary School | 7.4 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Woodland Hills Elementary School | 7.2 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in IA
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1400 BUFFALO RD, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dowling Catholic High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Valley High School (rated 4.5/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Walnut Creek Campus (rated 3.7/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.0 mi | — |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | — |
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 1.9 mi | — |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50265 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,588
Median Home Value
$267,600
Median Rent
$1,065/mo
Population
33,061
College Educated
48.5%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
38.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ames High School Ames, IA | 5.2 |
| Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes, IA | 5.2 |
| Indianola High School Indianola, IA | 5.3 |
| Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque, IA | 5.1 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA | 5.5 |
| North Scott High School Eldridge, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dowling Catholic High School
What grades does Dowling Catholic High School serve?
Dowling Catholic High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Dowling Catholic High School?
Dowling Catholic High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dowling Catholic High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dowling Catholic High School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Dowling Catholic High School rank in IA?
Dowling Catholic High School ranks #131 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Dowling Catholic High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dowling Catholic High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dowling Catholic High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dowling Catholic High School has 80% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
Is Dowling Catholic High School a private school?
Yes, Dowling Catholic High School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Dowling Catholic High School a religious school?
Dowling Catholic High School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,389
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 90
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 222-1015
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