Iowa Association of Christian Schools

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Iowa Association of Christian Schools

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Our mission: “Strengthening, Growing, and Advocating for Christian Schools in Iowa.”

11/01/2026

Hannah rejoiced after God gave her a son, but her prayer of praise in 1 Samuel 2 focused on something greater than her changed circumstances: the character of the Lord.

God is holy, without equal, and the Rock on whom his people can depend. His sovereignty and faithfulness give us reason to trust him, even when life unfolds differently than we expect.

As we begin another week, may our confidence rest in who God is rather than in circumstances we cannot control.

10/31/2026

MYTH: Rural families do not benefit from ESAs.

FACT: Many already travel to nonpublic schools, and ESAs help with tuition. The program has also encouraged new schools to open in smaller communities.

Rural school choice is growing. ESAs can ease tuition costs for families who travel to nonpublic schools and help make new educational options possible in communities where few existed before.

10/31/2026

An open Bible. A gospel of grace.

The Protestant Reformation brought renewed attention to two truths at the heart of our schools: Scripture is God's authoritative Word, and salvation is His gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

The Reformers wanted ordinary people, including children, to read and understand the Bible. That commitment helped shape Protestant education. It still shapes what we teach in Christian classrooms across Iowa.

Happy Reformation Day!

10/30/2026

Featured School of the Week: New City Classical Academy in Bettendorf.

New City Classical Academy serves Preschool through 12th grade and provides a classical and Christ-centered education. The school’s mission is to prepare students to shape culture through wise and victorious Christian living, with a vision shaped by truth, goodness, and beauty.

Learn more: https://www.newcityclassical.com/

10/30/2026

Next week is Election Day!

Not sure where to vote in Iowa? Look up your precinct and polling place at our election center!
https://iowachristianschools.org/action-center/?vvsrc=%2fElectionCenter

10/29/2026

During the October 14 Iowa gubernatorial debate, Zach Lahn described education savings accounts as a "foundational freedom."

Lahn said parents deserve more say over where their children attend school and how their tax dollars are spent.

He also rejected describing ESAs as a welfare program, calling them "an opportunity fund for Iowa's kids."

We agree!

10/28/2026

18 DAYS LEFT TO APPLY!

Iowa's half-year Students First Education Savings Account application window closes November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Eligible Iowa families may receive $4,074 per student to help cover tuition, fees, and other qualified educational expenses for the spring 2027 semester at an accredited nonpublic school.

Families who missed, were denied, or did not complete the full-year application may have another opportunity through this half-year application window.

Remember that receiving an approved application is only one step. Families must also meet the enrollment and tuition payment confirmation deadline of January 14, 2027.

Find eligibility information and apply through the Iowa Department of Education:
https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educational-choice/education-savings-accounts

10/28/2026

MYTH: Private schools can turn away children with special needs.

FACT: No school can serve every need. ESAs give parents more flexibility to seek specialized programs, therapies, tutoring, or a combination of services.

Children with special needs are not all best served in the same setting. School choice gives parents more options to pursue the programs, therapies, tutoring, and support that best fit their child.

10/27/2026

Supporting education savings accounts doesn't mean opposing public education.

Public schools serve many Iowa families well. Other families choose Christian schools or other accredited nonpublic schools because those educational environments better align with their children's needs and their family's convictions.
These choices do not have to be in conflict.

Iowa can support strong public schools while respecting the freedom of parents to choose alternatives. Families who select nonpublic education are still Iowa taxpayers, and their children deserve consideration when the state makes decisions about educational funding.

The Students First ESA program recognizes that parents have different priorities and children have different educational needs.

We believe Iowa is stronger when families have meaningful educational options and the freedom to pursue them.

10/26/2026

Iowa's gubernatorial candidates, Zach Lahn and Rob Sand, have different approaches to education savings accounts, school choice, and private school autonomy.

Lahn supports expanding ESAs to include more innovative educational models. He has expressed openness to audits and has opposed requiring participating private schools to admit every applicant.

Sand supports restoring income limits, annual audits, restrictions on tuition increases, and additional oversight. He has also argued that private schools accepting ESA funds should not be able to select which students they admit.

Iowa Advocates for Choice in Education’s comparison examines the candidates' documented positions on four issues: ESAs and school choice, ESA expansion, reform and oversight, and private school autonomy.

Address

PO Box 12028
Des Moines, IA
50312

Website

http://www.iowachristianschools.org/

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