Rural Iowa Education Access
Options for the 44 counties with no private schools
The Rural Paradox
Rural Iowans have the strongest support for school choice (+21.8% net favorability) but the least access to use it.
| The Problem | The Data |
|---|---|
| Counties with ZERO private schools | 44 |
| Counties with no private HIGH school | 75 |
| High schoolers with no private option | ~30,000-37,000 |
| Rural ESA support | +21.8% (highest in state) |
Rural families voted for ESAs. But until recently, they had nowhere to spend them.
The Access Problem
44 Counties with Zero Private Schools
These counties have no accredited private schools at any grade level:
| Region | Counties |
|---|---|
| Southwest | Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold, Taylor, Union |
| Northwest | Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Sioux |
| North Central | Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Wright |
| South Central | Appanoose, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne |
| East | Various smaller counties |
~50,000 K-12 students live in these counties with no private school option.
75 Counties with No Private HIGH SCHOOL
Even more counties have parochial elementary/middle schools but no private high school option:
- 44 counties with zero private schools (any grade)
- 31 additional counties with K-8 parochial but no high school
- 75 total counties = 75% of Iowa lacks a private high school
This creates a "9th grade cliff" — families who used private education through 8th grade suddenly have no private option.
Why This Matters
For Homeschool Families
| The Problem | The Impact |
|---|---|
| No accredited diploma locally | College applications complicated |
| No NCAA-approved courses | Athletic recruitment limited |
| No official transcript | Scholarship applications harder |
For Athletes
| The Problem | The Impact |
|---|---|
| Can't access flexible schooling | Training time limited |
| No NCAA prep locally | Eligibility at risk |
| Must choose: school or sport | Talent underdeveloped |
For College-Bound Students
| The Problem | The Impact |
|---|---|
| No competitive curriculum | Limited course options |
| No peer environment | Miss collaborative learning |
| Limited extracurriculars | Applications less competitive |
The Solution: Online Private Schools
Online private schools like ISP serve all 99 Iowa counties.
For the first time ever, a family in Ringgold County can access a private high school online—and with schools that match tuition to the ESA amount, families can pay little to nothing out of pocket.
| What Rural Families Get | Details |
|---|---|
| Official diploma | Recognized by colleges |
| NCAA-eligible courses | Athlete recruitment ready |
| Flexible schedule | Works with farm schedules, training |
| No commute | Online delivery |
| $0 tuition | ESA covers full cost |
The Numbers
Before ESA + Online Schools
| Option | Rural Access |
|---|---|
| Public school | ✅ Available |
| Private school | ❌ None within driving distance |
| Homeschool | ✅ Available (no diploma) |
| Online public | ✅ Available (limited) |
| Private education | ❌ Not accessible |
After ESA + Online Schools
| Option | Rural Access |
|---|---|
| Public school | ✅ Available |
| Private school | ✅ Now accessible via online |
| Homeschool | ✅ Available (no diploma) |
| Online public | ✅ Available |
| Private education | ✅ Accessible at $0 cost |
What Rural Families Are Saying
Polling from ITR Foundation (February 2022):
| Segment | ESA Support | ESA Opposition | Net Favorability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Iowans | 51.0% | 29.2% | +21.8% |
| All Iowa Voters | 47.2% | 35.4% | +11.8% |
Rural support is nearly double the statewide average.
Why? Because rural families understand what they've been missing. They want the same options urban families have always had.
Rural-Specific Benefits of ISP
1. No Commute Required
Traditional private schools require driving — often 30-60 minutes each way in rural areas. ISP is 100% online. Your commute is from bedroom to desk.
2. Works with Farm/Ranch Schedules
Many rural families have seasonal demands. ISP's flexible schedule allows students to complete academics around family responsibilities.
3. Access to Programs Rural Schools Cut
Small rural districts often cut:
- AP courses (not enough students)
- Foreign languages (can't afford teachers)
- Specialized electives (low demand)
ISP provides access to a full curriculum regardless of your district's size.
4. Same Price as Urban Families
ESA is $7,988 statewide. A family in Ringgold County gets the same amount as a family in Des Moines. Online delivery means rural families can finally use it.
For Athletes in Rural Iowa
Before HF 189 + ISP
- Train for your sport? Miss school.
- Choose flexible education? Lose sports.
- No private option within 50 miles.
After HF 189 + ISP
- ISP academics (~2 hours/day, flexible)
- Local public school sports (HF 189 access)
- Time to train (prime hours available)
- $0 cost (ESA covers tuition)
A wrestler in rural Iowa can now:
- Complete ISP academics in the morning
- Train at a wrestling club in the afternoon
- Compete for their local high school team
- Prepare for NCAA eligibility
This wasn't possible before.
Taking Action
Step 1: Apply for ESA
Go to educate.iowa.gov and apply. Every Iowa family qualifies.
Step 2: Enroll in an Online Private School
ISP and other online private schools accept students from all 99 counties.
Step 3: Contact Local Public School (for sports)
Under HF 189, you can participate in local athletics. Reach out to the athletic director.
The Message
"For the first time ever, a kid in [your county] can access a private school at zero cost."
Rural Iowa has waited decades for real school choice. ESA + online schools + HF 189 finally delivers it.