Unlocking Excellence: Education in Pella, Iowa
With a rich history of educational excellence spanning decades, our schools boasts state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated educators, and a comprehensive curriculum designed to inspire, challenge, and empower students to reach their full potential. Whether your child is just beginning their educational journey or preparing for college and beyond, Pella’s schools provide the ideal foundation for lifelong learning and success.
PRE-SCHOOLS
Little Dutch Academy at the Viersen Early Learning Center Building at Pella Community Schools, is a preschool facility (for three to five year olds). The Little Dutch Academy uses Creative Curriculum and GOLD assessments, alongside licensed early childhood education teachers, to build strong educational foundations and a love of learning for three hours a day.
New Horizon Academy pre-kindergarten classrooms support the continued development of essential school-readiness skills and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the language, early literacy, mathematics, social and emotional, physical, cognitive, and executive functioning skills necessary for success.
Pella Christian Schools offer three and four year-old-preschool classes. Teachers use play-based activities to help nurture your child’s growing faith, cultivate social-emotional skills and explore God’s world together.
Yellow Iron Academy, provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten-prep, and school-aged children. Curriculum encourages discovery with activities specific to each stage of development.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Career Academy of Pella offers courses and programs, focusing on career and technical education. Students are introduced to a variety of skilled areas where they experience hands-on learning, helping them identify areas of interest and guide them toward relevant post-secondary education.
WorkSMART Connector supports local students through their decision-making process, bringing career mentors into classrooms, introducing skills for success in any work environment and providing exciting workplace experiences with local employers. High school apprenticeships, internships and certifications offer paid work-based learning opportunities AND college credit, leading to a fulfilling career. WorkSMART Connector brings together area employers, K-12 schools, Central College, the Career Academy and community colleges, delivering unique career solutions to students and communities. The model is recognized by the State of Iowa as a STEM BEST program and originator of the Iowa High School Registered Apprenticeship Playbook.
GRADE & HIGH SCHOOLS
Pella Christian Schools is a private accredited school system that offers Christ-centered education. Pella Christian Schools partner with parents to challenge their children to develop their individual God-given gifts for a life of service in God’s Kingdom. School-wide chapels, discipleship groups, numerous college credit classes, special education classes, two language tracks, award-winning music ensembles, excellent speech and drama productions, and top- rated athletic programs – Pella Christian Schools help students soar!
Pella Christian Schools partner with families to provide a safe learning environment to over 800 students from Three School through 12th Grade on two campuses – Pella Christian Grade and Pella Christian High. They have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a School of Excellence as well as a Blue Ribbon School.
Pella Christian’s Spanish Immersion program teaches native English-speaking children their academic content in Spanish from preschool through 5th grade and continues in secondary immersion from 6th to 12th with select courses offered in Spanish. In addition to academic and lingual benefits, Spanish immersion is an excellent way to increase the global awareness of our students while promoting Pella Christian’s mission.
Pella Christian Schools offer excellent academics rooted in a Biblically-based, Reformed perspective. School-wide chapels, discipleship groups, numerous college credit classes, special education classes and two language tracks – English and Spanish Immersion, award-winning music ensembles, excellent speech and drama productions and top-rated athletic programs – Pella Christian Schools has the programs to help students soar.
DISTRICT INFORMATION
Student to Teacher Ratio – 14:1 (830 students)
Student to Computer Ratio – 1:1 (grades 4-12)
Tuition – assistance and Education Savings Accounts are available for qualifying families
Special Services Offered – Counseling, Special Education, Reading Plus, Math Discovery, Study Skills, and SPARK program (Talented and Gifted)
Faculty – teachers are certified by the State of Iowa and are professing Christians
Pella Community Schools takes pride in the commitment to excellence demonstrated by students and staff. Pella Community Schools were voted #8 in the State of Iowa (2023). Part of the success is the combination of traditional reading, writing, math, and history coupled with a strong emphasis on the arts, sciences, music, and physical activities. Every program and curriculum is designed to prepare every student to Learn, Lead, and Achieve! In addition, the schools offer a variety of specialized programs, internships, apprenticeships, college credit classes, honors classes, and special education programs includes Lincoln and Madison Elementary (Pre-K thru 3rd), Jefferson intermediate (4–6 grade), Middle School (7–8 grade) and the High School (9-12 grade). Traditional reading, writing and math are critical components of a strong foundation in learning. Coupled with arts, sciences, music and physical activities, the programs make for well-rounded students. Numerous college credit classes, honors classes as well as special education classes are available.
DISTRICT INFORMATION
Student to Teacher Ratio – 14:1 (2,400 students)
Student to Computer Ratio – 1:1 (grades 2-12)
State Testing – between 80% and 90% of students scoring proficient on standardized tests
Special Services Offered – Gifted and Talented, Counseling, At-Risk Support, Special Education, Reading Plus, English Language Learner
Faculty – highly qualified faculty with advanced degrees and participation in continuing education
Compare Pella Community Schools to other public schools in Iowa using this tool.
HOME SCHOOL
Pella offers a thriving home education community with a support group named PEACE – Purposeful Education And Christian Encouragement. This organization is comprised of over 60 families who are home educating more than 200 children. PEACE provides educational and support activities such as a monthly Mom’s meeting, children’s choir, cooperative classes, and monthly field trips. For information on home education in Iowa, contact the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE) at 800-723-0438.
POST SECONDARY
Central College of Pella is a private, four-year college known for its academic rigor, engaged citizenship and character formation, experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), athletics and service. Central offers academic programs in the sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities and interdisciplinary programs. Recently, new programs were added in data analytics, musical theatre and strength and conditioning. B.S. degrees are now available in biochemistry, chemistry and engineering to complement the B.A. degrees that are also offered. The Central experience is rooted in exploration and self-discovery and enhanced by life in an academic community of 1,100 students. More than 70 strong academic programs, including majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, faculty and students enjoy a personalized teaching and mentoring environment. The average class size is 16 students.
LIFE LONG LEARNING
Central RED Society fosters creativity, intellectual curiosity and engagement with Central and the community! Central RED (Ready to Engage and Discover) is a volunteer-driven, lifelong learning and social organization with an abiding partnership with Central alumni and friends who wish to share knowledge, talents and experiences.
Courses range from recreational to academic: everything from organic gardening to water aerobics to financial planning to philosophy to you decide! It’s part education … part socializing … and always fun! Events are open to everyone. View upcoming Central RED events.
