The Diocese of Des Moines Catholic schools serve more than 6,800 students throughout its 16 schools.
Our schools offer academic excellence and spiritual formation in a safe, welcoming environment. The Diocese of Des Moines Catholic schools serve more than 6,300 students through its 17 schools. Students learn about their Catholic faith, how to live it by serving God and others in need, and receive top academic training in a safe, nurturing environment.
There's a misconception that ESAs only go to those who don't need it. But ask the people in our schools. For many families, it's a sacrifice. ESAs make the burden lighter and ensure students can stay in their schools.
06/23/2026
One more week to apply for an Education Savings Account (ESA).
Every student from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade is eligible to receive $8,148 to attend the accredited, nonpublic school of their choice. This includes all 16 of our Catholic schools!
Don't miss this opportunity to secure an academically rigorous, faith-focused education for your child. Apply by June 30: https://iowa-households.withodyssey.com/login/
What happens when financial barriers are removed and families are given the true freedom to choose their child's school? Jeff Lynch, Administrator at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in West Des Moines, shares his unique perspective on how Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are transforming his school community.
Rather than changing the fundamental mission of the school, ESAs are allowing St. Francis of Assisi to welcome families who always desired a Catholic education for their children but previously found it financially out of reach. Jeff discusses how school choice is creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and stable environment, ensuring that the school can continue providing excellent academics and faith formation for years to come.
Watch to hear how empowering parents with educational options ultimately strengthens the entire school community.
06/19/2026
We always talk about the value of school choice. But for many families, it's not simply a choice. It's something to fight for.
Betzy Sandoval, a graduate of St. Patrick Catholic School in Perry and Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, found stability in Catholic school. Her mother, who grew up in poverty in Guatemala, knew this was the right environment for her daughter.
It wasn't easy. At times, they struggled to pay for their basic needs. That's how important Catholic education was to this family.
Tuition assistance from the Catholic Tuition Organization (CTO) and Education Savings Accounts (ESA) don't just make private schools accessible to all -- they help families like Betzy's keep food on the table.
Betzy knows she and her siblings never would've received the same opportunities without her mother's constant sacrifice. Read her story in the Des Moines Register: https://ow.ly/6QYV50ZelcW
If you can't access the article, you can read a shorter version of Betzy's story here: https://ow.ly/rECI50ZelcV
My mom fought for my education; now choice helps more Iowans | Opinion No child should be kept from educational opportunity just because of a price tag, writes Betzy Sandoval.
06/18/2026
Holy Family Catholic School- Des Moines truly brings the world into one vibrant community, and that's never clearer than on their annual Culture Day celebration.
This year, Culture Day was bigger than ever. Instead of celebrating one culture, they celebrated all of them. It was a joyful occasion where students, staff, and families shared their rich heritages through traditional dress, music, food, and history. It is a powerful reminder of how our Catholic schools embrace diversity as a reflection of the universal Church, creating a space where every student's unique background is honored and celebrated.
Discover how Holy Family is fostering unity, mutual respect, and a global perspective right here in our diocese:
Holy Family's Culture Day Brings the World Into One School Culture Day at Holy Family Catholic School this year was bigger than ever.
Every school is different. Every child is different. We don't need ESAs because public schools are bad. We need ESAs because it allows every child to learn in the environment that works best for them.
Watch this video to hear Holy Trinity Catholic School parent Mercedies Steinkamp break down what school choice really means.
"There's so much more to a Catholic school classroom than standing up and praying in the morning... every choice that we make is rooted to our faith."
In this video, Alex Baranosky shares what makes St. Pius X Catholic School in Urbandale such a vibrant, hidden gem in Catholic education. From a deeply rooted faith to an incredibly diverse student body speaking 16 different languages, Alex opens up about the thriving parish community that supports the school and its families.
He highlights how St. Pius X goes beyond excellent academics to offer a full slate of rich experiences—including band, Spanish, STEM, Mock Trial, and faith formation clubs like 'Made for More'—all designed to prepare students for success well outside the classroom. For families yearning for a tight-knit community and a place to belong, Catholic education offers a legacy of building global citizens who are deeply grounded in their faith.
Watch to discover the special community waiting for your family at St. Pius X!
06/13/2026
Today, June 13, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua! While many know him as the patron saint of lost things, he was also a brilliant teacher, a gifted preacher, and a Doctor of the Church who dedicated his life to sharing the truth and beauty of the Gospel.
His legacy of wisdom, faith, and teaching is alive and well in the Diocese of Des Moines, especially at St. Anthony Catholic School. We are so proud of how our students and educators at St. Anthony embody his spirit every day by pursuing academic excellence and living out the Gospel with love.
On his feast day, we pray that St. Anthony continues to guide and inspire all of our diocesan schools, helping our students find their unique, God-given purpose. Happy Feast Day, St. Anthony community!
Iowa's Student First ESAs help families like Marilu Lechuga's. Now, she doesn't have to worry about whether her children can continue at Holy Family Catholic School from year to year. ESAs allow her to choose the right school for her children without wondering how she'll make ends meet.
In this video, Sara Hazel, assistant administrator at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Ankeny, tackles the common misconceptions surrounding Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Sara speaks passionately about the real sacrifices families make to invest in private education and how ESAs help alleviate the heavy financial stress that often forces parents to make difficult choices about their children's schooling.
She shares how ESAs are a vital lifeline for families facing financial burdens, giving them the true freedom to choose the right educational path. Furthermore, Sara highlights how these funds help local schools like St. Luke grow, add essential staffing, and build the structure needed to better support every single student.
Watch to hear firsthand how school choice is supporting working families and strengthening our school communities.