Excellent

#7 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 4% of private schools

Joshua Christian Academy

School

1740 GARFIELD AVE, Des Moines, IA 50316

Last updated: July 2026

Private

Enrollment

175

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Enrollment

175

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage
2021-22

Data vintage2021-22

How this school compares

Iowa private schools

#7 of 157

In Des Moines

#3 of 13

public schools

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About Joshua Christian Academy

Joshua Christian Academy is a private school in Des Moines, IA. Joshua Christian Academy serves approximately 175 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Joshua Christian Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #7 of 157 private schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Joshua Christian Academy show 57% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).

How it compares1.9 pts above IA schools

8.2

This school 8.2 · Excellent
IA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 175 students, Joshua Christian Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Joshua Christian Academy 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

Beta

How Joshua Christian Academy compares to 60 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio

10.5:1

This School

14.7:1

Public Avg

Avg School Size

175

This School

520

Public Avg

Avg School Scout Rating

8.2

This School

4.5

Public Avg

Student Demographics

Black 42.3% vs 0%

White 34.3% vs 0%

Hispanic 16.6% vs 0%

Asian 6.9% vs 0%

Joshua Christian Academy Des Moines Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School	Distance	Enrollment	STR	Rating
Joshua Christian Academy (this school)	—	175	10.5:1	8.2
Hiatt Middle School	0.5 mi	466	12.9:1	3.1
East High School	0.7 mi	2,014	23.7:1	2.4
Capitol View Elementary School	0.8 mi	545	12.4:1	5.0
Phillips Elementary	1.0 mi	254	11:1	3.6
Carver Elementary	1.2 mi	419	12:1	3.8
Garton Elementary	1.5 mi	429	11.9:1	6.0
Cattell Elementary School	1.6 mi	308	10.6:1	5.3
Willard Elementary School	1.8 mi	282	11.8:1	7.4
Findley Elementary School	1.9 mi	284	11.8:1	4.0
North High School	2.0 mi	1,514	22.3:1	3.8
Moulton Elementary School	2.0 mi	450	13.2:1	4.7
Stowe Elementary School	2.0 mi	311	13:1	3.4
Goodrell Middle School	2.0 mi	493	14.5:1	2.4
Harding Middle School	2.1 mi	634	16.7:1	2.9
Madison Elementary School	2.2 mi	247	11.8:1	2.8
McKinley Elementary School	2.2 mi	269	12.8:1	3.3
Walnut Street School	2.4 mi	244	15.2:1	6.0
Edmunds Elementary School	2.6 mi	286	11.4:1	6.0
King Elementary School	2.7 mi	273	11.4:1	3.2
Oak Park	2.7 mi	309	11.9:1	3.0

Showing 20 of 60 schools. View all schools in Des Moines

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

Preliminary

What 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.

Classroom Attention

B+ 6.6 / 10

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio 10.5:1

Instructional Commitment

A 9.0 / 10

View breakdown

School Day Length 8 hours

Annual Instructional Hours 1,296

Diversity & Inclusion

A+ 9.9 / 10

View breakdown

Diversity Index 67%

Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile

A- 8.1 / 10

View breakdown

Enrollment 175

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)

Math Proficiency 56.8% (2025 ISASP)

School

State

74.0% (2025 ISASP)

ELA Proficiency 61.7% (2025 ISASP)

School

State

74.6% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Black 42.3%

White 34.3%

Hispanic 16.6%

Asian 6.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1740 GARFIELD AVE, Des Moines, IA 50316

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joshua Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines	0.5 mi	466	3.1
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines	0.8 mi	545	5.0
East High School Des Moines	0.7 mi	2,014	2.4
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines	0.9 mi	211	8.4
Phillips Elementary Des Moines	1.0 mi	254	3.6
Carver Elementary Des Moines	1.2 mi	419	3.8
Garton Elementary Des Moines	1.5 mi	429	6.0
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines	1.6 mi	308	5.3
Willard Elementary School Des Moines	1.8 mi	282	7.4
Findley Elementary School Des Moines	1.9 mi	284	4.0
Madison Elementary School Des Moines	2.2 mi	247	2.8
McKinley Elementary School Des Moines	2.2 mi	269	3.3
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines	2.0 mi	493	2.4
Harding Middle School Des Moines	2.1 mi	634	2.9
North High School Des Moines	2.0 mi	1,514	3.8
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines	2.3 mi	36	5.0
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines	2.0 mi	450	4.7
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines	2.0 mi	311	3.4
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines	2.1 mi	173	5.0
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines	2.5 mi	271	6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,090

Median Home Value

$137,300

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

16,188

College Educated

12.7%

Homeownership

66.5%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

31.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE Bettendorf, IA	177	8.0
CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA	133	7.3
PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clinton, IA	187	7.1
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Remsen, IA	187	7.1
MAHARISHI SCHOOL Fairfield, IA	113	9.4
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PK-12 Bellevue, IA	215	6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joshua Christian Academy

What grades does Joshua Christian Academy serve?

Joshua Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Joshua Christian Academy?

Joshua Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 175 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joshua Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Joshua Christian Academy is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Joshua Christian Academy rank in IA?

Joshua Christian Academy ranks #7 of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Joshua Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Joshua Christian Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Joshua Christian Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joshua Christian Academy has 57% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).

Is Joshua Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Joshua Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Joshua Christian Academy a religious school?

Joshua Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

Explore More Schools

All schools in Des Moines, IA Schools in IA 20 nearby schools

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Neighborhood Context

Walk Score: 40 Car-Dependent
Transit Score: 35 Some Transit
Bike Score: 41 Somewhat Bikeable

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades: Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment: 175
Gender Split: 49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio: 10.5:1
Teachers (FTE): 17
Type: private
Coed Status: coed
Affiliation: Christian, no specific denomination
School Day: 8 hours
Days Per Year: 162 days
Setting: Midsize City
County: Polk County
Phone: (515) 265-0603

Resources & Links

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How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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Data sources

NCES PSSSY 2021-22 IA ISASP2024-25 Census ACS2019-2023 MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

Joshua Christian Academy

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