From the President
Thank you for your interest in Dowling Catholic High School. We know that choosing a high school is an important decision as these formative years provide a foundation for your student’s future. Here you will find information on much of what we do in our mission to help students become Christ-centered leaders.
Dowling Catholic is the largest Catholic secondary school in Iowa. Our beautiful 65-acre campus is centrally located in suburban West Des Moines, Iowa. With a reputation that is strong in academics, athletics and the arts, students have the opportunity to discover and cultivate strengths, develop leadership skills and foster personal growth.
Our talented faculty and staff care for our students and are committed to helping them achieve their personal best. Our dedicated boards provide leadership and support for constant improvement. Outstanding support of the Annual Appeal makes it possible for us to provide an excellent education at a tuition rate that is lower than the per-student cost, helping to remove financial barriers for those seeking a Dowling Catholic education.
We are focused on creating a personalized education experience for every student, with measurable outcomes for faith, academic and life preparation in place. We have raised our expectations when it comes to how we measure success, looking beyond high school to college preparation and college graduation rates. To help prepare our students for the future, we provide ACT preparation and one ACT exam for every junior to be taken on campus during the school day, both of which are included in the cost of tuition. Additionally, freshmen and sophomores take the pre-ACT. These are part of an ongoing initiative to provide every student with the opportunity to be successful beyond high school.
Ultimately, our goal is that every student discovers and cultivates their God-given talents and graduates with the confidence to lead positive change in the world. We invite you to contact our admissions team with questions or to learn more about Dowling Catholic. We look forward to working with you.
Dr. Dan Ryan President
BEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN IOWA -Niche 2024
1,405 1,405 STUDENTS
DES MOINES AREA COMMUNITIES 35 35 47 47
CATHOLIC 90% 90%
NON-CATHOLIC 10% 10%
ZIP CODES REPRESENTED 33% 33%
RACIAL/ETHNIC DIVERSITY #1 #1
Ut Fidem, has strengthened my faith through community and support. My mentor, along with all the girls in my group, all support each other in growing our faith on our own paths. It builds a great close-knit community while also strengthening relationship with Christ.
NORA R. ‘25
80 80
HOURS OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
70 70 UT FIDEM FAITH GROUPs
700+ 700+ STUDENTS ATTENDED A RETREAT
Faith
Dowling Catholic High School is a community of faith where learning, leadership and student life are Christ-centered. The culture is one of caring and support with faith integrated into the curriculum and daily routine. Dowling Catholic embraces diversity and students of all faiths, regardless of where they are on their faith journey.
THEOLOGY CLASSES
Theology classes support and develop the faith and values students have learned at home and in church. Students are required to enroll in one Theology class every semester, and have the opportunity to select a class of their choice each semester of senior year. Classes include Apologetics & Discipleship, Bioethics, Catholic Art, Imagination, and Storytelling, Comparative Christianities, Covenant and The Old Testament, Ecclesiology, Faith and the New Testament, Morality, Peer Ministry, Philosophy, Sacraments, Social Justice, Theology of the Body and World Religions.
FORMATION & MINISTRY
Formation & Ministry is an essential part of everyday life at Dowling Catholic, fostering the spiritual life of students and providing support as they continue on the lifelong journey of faith formation. Students have the opportunity to encounter God through retreats, Mass, daily prayer and other faith-life experiences. Formation & Ministry seeks to build a strong community of faith within Dowling Catholic and to foster the spiritual life of each student.
UT FIDEM
Ut Fidem, from a Latin phrase meaning “Keep the Faith,” strives to develop high school students into intentional disciples who will keep the faith for the rest of their lives, and especially through college. Ut Fidem does this by supporting students in forming deep, personal relationships with Christ through small group ministry and faith mentoring.
SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
Dowling Catholic students are called upon to be servant leaders and are provided with a variety of opportunities to put their faith in action. As part of their graduation requirements, each student completes ten service hours, along with a reflection paper, during each semester.
Through numerous programs, activities and projects, Dowling Catholic students give more than 56,000 hours of volunteer service each year to the Greater Des Moines community and beyond. In recognizing both individual and collective responsibility, the goal of Dowling Catholic’s Christian Service Hour program is to ensure that students are seeking to serve the community and the world at large and striving to see Christ in all people.
Academics
At Dowling Catholic High School we provide your student with an educational setting where faith and values are incorporated into the daily routine. With a curriculum designed to engage and challenge students to reach their fullest potential, our goal is to personalize the educational experience of every student. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, we are committed to academic excellence and strive to prepare students for college and beyond.
ACADEMIC AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Dowling Catholic students who excel in the classroom have the opportunity to earn numerous awards, including academic letters, medals and an Aquinas Key, our highest academic award.
Students may also apply for membership into the Dowling Catholic chapter of the National Honor Society by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.7 and demonstrating leadership, service and the seven qualities of character (respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, faith, caring and citizenship).
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The curriculum at Dowling Catholic revolves around the core subject areas of Theology, English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology, and Guidance. Eight required credits of general electives provide students with the opportunity to pursue areas of special interest or to go into greater depth in core subjects. Additionally, graduation requirements include two credits (80 hours) of Christian Service.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES
Students who successfully complete AP courses may receive post-secondary credit. The AP program at DCHS includes African American Studies, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, Environmental Science, European History, Government, Human Geography, Microeconomics, Physics I & II, Pre-Calculus, Psychology, Spanish Language & Culture, Spanish Literature & Culture, Statistics and U.S. History. Online courses are also available.
21 21
TYPICAL CLASS SIZE
14:1 14:1
STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
I would highly recommend Dowling Catholic to a prospective student because Dowling helps you grow in your faith, your education, and yourself as a person. Everyone is willing to help you whenever you need it, there is always someone who can just talk to you about anything, and they will listen. There will be people at all times who love, support and guide you.
LY N. ‘26
“Students at Dowling Catholic can explore and live out their faith through a variety of courses they take on a yearly basis. The theology classes provided to all students help ensure they have a strong understanding of the Catholic faith and they are able to find ways to put their faith into action in their daily lives. Chapel time, service hours, and a variety of volunteer opportunities are other ways we ensure students can live their faith in a variety of ways. We have a variety of ways that students can learn about and live out their faith at Dowling Catholic High School.”
MR. MEEKS
Academic Opportunities
CAREER EXPLORATION
Dowling Catholic students have a variety of opportunities to participate in authentic, real-world educational experiences. Through MaiaLearning, an individualized online guidance program, students have the opportunity to learn about their personal strengths, interests and career possibilities. Students are required to complete a job shadow experience and have access to college and career planning tools. Additionally, the following opportunities are available to DCHS students to experience and learn about career opportunities:
DOWLING CATHOLIC CAREER ACADEMIES
Through the fields of Health Sciences, Engineering/Technology, Business, Finance & Innovation or Education/Human Services, we strive to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators. In this unique program, students will embark on a transformative journey that couples a comprehensive curriculum with the real-world application of learning.
DMACC CAREER ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
The DMACC Career Advantage Program affords Dowling Catholic students the option to receive college credit for certain DCHS high school courses.
FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION PROGRAM (2 YEAR OPTION)
This dual credit year-long course is designed to allow students to explore careers in the field of education. Students spend time learning the foundations of education along with observing classes and assisting teachers in both elementary and secondary classes.
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY/CNA
These classes are designed to give students a basic understanding of medical terminology and the skills and training needed to work in various healthcare settings.
PROJECT LEAD THE WAY
PLTW is a non-profit organization focused on introducing and preparing students for engineering and technical careers of the future. A four-year path of engineering is offered.
ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY 1818 ACC PROGRAM
The St. Louis University 1818 Advanced College Credit Program affords qualified Dowling Catholic students the option to receive college credit for certain DCHS high school courses.
College Planning
Dowling Catholic High School has a College & Career Coordinator dedicated to helping students along the path toward graduation and beyond. The goal of the college and career planning program is to help students make informed choices regarding their post-high school plans. Students are provided with personalized guidance, given access to college search tools, and provided with assistance through the college application process. Dowling Catholic also provides students with exposure to more than 70 post-secondary options during an annual college fair hosted on campus.
COLLEGE
CHOICES OF RECENT GRADUATES
• Aveda Institute-Des Moines
• Benedictine College
• Black Hills State University
• Boston College
• Briar Cliff University
• Carleton College
• Central College
• Clemson University
• Colgate University
• Colorado School of Mines
• Colorado State University-Fort Collins
• Columbia University in the City of New York
• Creighton University
• Des Moines Area Community College
• Dordt University
• Drake University
• Emory University
• Franklin and Marshall College
• Graceland University-Lamoni
• Grand Canyon University
• Grand View University
• Holy Cross College
• Iowa State University
• Kirkwood Community College
• Loras College
• Loyola University Chicago
• Luther College
• Marquette University
• Marshalltown Community College
• Mercy College of Health Sciences
• Miami University-Oxford
• Morningside University
• Mount Mercy University
• North Iowa Area Community College
• Northwest Missouri State University
• PCI Academy-Ames
• Princeton University
• Rochester Community and Technical College
• Saint Ambrose University
• Simpson College
• Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• St Olaf College
• Tallahassee Community College
• Texas A & M University-College Station
• Texas Christian University
• The University of Alabama
• The University of British Columbia
• The University of Texas at Austin
• Trinity College Dublin
• Truman State University
• University of Arkansas
• University of Connecticut
• University of Dallas
• University of Denver
• University of Dubuque
• University of Iowa
• University of Kansas
• University of Mary
• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• University of Missouri-Columbia
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• University of Northern Iowa
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Richmond
• University of Rochester
• University of Sioux Falls
• University of South Carolina-Columbia
• University of South Dakota
• University of St Thomas
• University of Washington-Seattle Campus
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• University of Wisconsin-Platteville
• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Villanova University
• Washington University in St Louis
• Wayne State College
• Western Carolina University
• Western Illinois University
Colleen Koppes
College and Career Coordinator ckoppes@dowlingcatholic.org
ATTEND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION 97% 97% 77 77 DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED BY THE CLASS OF 2024
“Dowling Catholic is a special place. I was surrounded by friends, teachers and teammates who wanted to help me grow in my academics, sports and faith. Dowling Catholic is an important part of who I am today.”
CAITLIN CLARK ‘20
90+ 90+
ATHLETICS, ACTIVITIES & CLUBS
60% 60% OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN FINE ARTS
61% 61% OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN
Student Life
Dowling Catholic provides all students an opportunity to become involved in many extracurricular activities. Leadership, performance, service and leisure activities, combined with athletics and academics, educate the whole student and foster Christ-like values that are integral to developing responsible citizens.
ACTIVITIES
Dowling Catholic High School students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to enrich their high school experience and to positively contribute to the school culture. Extracurricular activities promote learning, development and student engagement by offering students opportunities to develop leadership skills, cultivate new interests, and foster personal growth.
Student activities raised and donated more than $56,000.
ARTS
The fine arts are an essential part of the school curriculum at Dowling Catholic High School and an important component in the education of every student. The fine arts enhance and enrich learning, nourish the soul, inspire spirit, and encourage creativity. Dowling Catholic offers many opportunities for students to participate in the fine arts, including band, choir, visual arts and theater.
All-State Participants: Choir - 10 / Band - 2 / Orchestra - 1
Speech/Debate: 2024 State Champions in Public Forum & Policy Debate, 2024 State Runners Up in Speech, #1 Ranked Speech and Debate Team in the State of Iowa Vanguard (Marching Band/Colorguard): 1st place at the Waukee Invitational and awards for best marching and best drumline.
ATHLETICS
We have numerous opportunities for students to participate in sports. We emphasize participation in athletics with a focus on supporting all students in being healthy, whether for athletes with aspirations of playing at the college level or for those who simply enjoy the camaraderie. Dowling Catholic teams have achieved success at national levels, and many student athletes have gone on to compete at colleges and universities.
WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL 2024
State Qualifiers: Boys and Girls Track & Field, Boys Bowling, Volleyball, Football, Boys Golf, Girls Cross Country
State Runner-Up: Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, Baseball, Boys Cross Country, Dance Team (Pom)
State Champions: Girls Tennis (Team and Doubles), Girls Swimming
90% 90%
Tuition Assistance
The goal of Dowling Catholic’s tuition assistance program is to make a Catholic education attainable for all who wish to attend. Through our tuition assistance program, we are able to help cover a portion of the cost of tuition for families who show a demonstrated financial need.
WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE?
Catholic Tuition Organization (CTO) Tuition Assistance –(www.CTOIowa.org) provides tuition assistance based on household financial need using income guidelines and family size. This is the same program available at the parochial grade schools.
DCHS Tuition Assistance – Dowling Catholic High School provides tuition assistance to families with a demonstrated household financial need. DCHS uses the same application as CTO but different guidelines. Families who qualify for CTO assistance may also qualify for DCHS and DTA assistance.
Diocesan Tuition Assistance (DTA) - Established through the Ignite Campaign. This program has expanded income guidelines.
You will complete one application per household through CTO to apply for all three assistance programs listed above.
EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ESAS)
All families, regardless of income, will qualify for an Educational Savings Account (ESA) for the 2025-26 school year.
We encourage all families to visit the Iowa Department of Education website for the most up-to-date information.
Tuition assistance is available for families with remaining need.
Receiving a Catholic education is important to me because I don’t want to forget about my faith or lose my beliefs. Going to Dowling Catholic reminds me everyday of who I am and who I need to look to. Catholic education is helping me build my relationship with God.
KENNEDY H. ‘27
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
1400 Buffalo Rd | West Des Moines, IA 50265 | 515.225.3000 | www.dowlingcatholic.org
AREA CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Christ the King Catholic School
Phone: 515-285-3349 cksdesmoines.com
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Phone: 515-223-1284 sacredheartschoolwdm.org
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Phone: 515-457-7167 sfawdm.org
Saint Patrick Catholic School
Phone: 515-465-4186 stpatricks-perry-ia.org
Holy Family Catholic School
Phone: 515-262-8025 hfcsdm.org
Saint Anthony Catholic School
Phone: 515-243-1874 school.stanthonydsm.org
Saint Joseph Catholic School
Phone: 515-266-3433
stjosephcatholicdsm.org/school
Saint Pius X Catholic School
Phone: 515-276-1061 stpiusxschool.org
Holy Trinity Catholic School
Phone: 515-255-3162 holytrinitydm.org/school
Saint Augustin Catholic School
Phone: 515-279-5947 staugustinschool.org
Saint Luke the Evangelist Catholic School
Phone: 515-985-7074 saintluketheevangelistschool.org
Saint Theresa Catholic School
Phone: 515-277-0178 sainttheresaiowa.org/school