Private schools in Black Hawk County, IA
14 schools across Cedar Falls, Gilbertville, Waterloo. About 3,211 students in all (2023-24). 10 on the state’s Students First ESA list.
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| St. Patrick Catholic School ✓ | PreK-8 | 176 |
| Valley Lutheran School ✓ | K-12 | 146 |
| Don Bosco High School ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Immaculate Conception ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta ✓ | 6-8 | 175 |
| Columbus Catholic High School ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Diamond Star Academy - Waterloo ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Royal Legacy Christian Academy ✓ | PreK-6 | 36 |
| St. Edward School ✓ | K-5 | 321 |
| Waterloo Christian School ✓ | PreK-12 | 312 |
| Bosco Catholic School System | PreK-12 | 299 |
| Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School | K-12 | 280 |
| Cedar Valley Catholic School | PreK-12 | 733 |
| Cedar Valley Catholic School System | PreK-12 | 733 |
Black Hawk County private schools at a glance
- Towns
- 3; the most in Waterloo (8), Gilbertville (4) and Cedar Falls (2)
- Among Iowa counties
- 5th most private schools of 67; 5% of the state’s 274
- Typical school
- 299 students (10 reporting)
- Smallest and largest
- Royal Legacy Christian Academy, 36 students; Cedar Valley Catholic School System, 733 students
- Students per teacher
- 11.9 typical, 8 to 14.9 across 10 schools
- Association members
- 5, most often the National Catholic Educational Association
- To a 4-year college
- 48% of graduates at the typical high school (6 reporting)
- Verified tuition
- Royal Legacy Christian Academy $9,153
- State program
- Education savings account, $8,148 per student for 2026-27
How Students First ESA works
- Catholic7
- Christian, not Catholic3
- Not in federal survey4
- Pre-K (and up)6
- Elementary (K to 5)9
- Middle (6 to 8)9
- High school (9 to 12)6
- K to 12, one school6
- Under 501
- 50 to 1491
- 150 to 2994
- 300 to 5992
- 600 or more2
- Black Hawk County71%
- All of Iowa89%
Where these facts come from
- Grades, size, affiliation, co-ed, membership, college-going: NCES Private School Universe Survey 2023-24, downloaded September 20, 2026.
- Program list: Iowa Students First Education Savings Account schools, list read October 26, 2026, checked November 4, 2026.
- Award and rules: Iowa Students First Education Savings Account, official page, read October 11, 2026.
- Tuition for 1 school: each school’s own website, last read October 5, 2026.
Cities in and around Black Hawk County
Neighboring counties
- Bremer County (3)
- Buchanan County (5)
- Grundy County (1)
- Tama County (1)
- Benton County (1)
- Chickasaw County (1)
- Marshall County (2)
- Delaware County (1)
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