Admissions

Tuition, Tuition Assistance & ESAs

Tuition

Thank you for choosing to send your student to Dowling Catholic High School. Tuition for the 2025-2026 school year is $11,076 plus $364 in fees for parish-participating families and $15,498 plus fees for non-participating families.

We estimate the true cost to educate each student is $14,797* and are grateful to donors and local parishes for helping to bridge the gap of $3,357. 

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)

Did you know that ESAs make a Dowling Catholic education more affordable than ever before? For the 2025-2026 school year, all DCHS families that apply will benefit regardless of income.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
  • Every student qualifies for an ESA for the 2025-26 school year. 
  • Each student will receive $7983 for tuition.
  • Families must apply each year to receive this benefit.
  • Applications will open on April 16 and close on June 30, 2025.

HOW TO APPLY
Returning Applicants: Parents with an existing Odyssey portal will log in to the existing account to begin the application for the 2025-26 school year. See the Tips for Returning Families here. 
 
New Applicants: Families who are applying for the first time must complete the following steps:
2. Once approved, log in and select your student’s school from the drop-down menu.
3. Log in again to approve the tuition amount your school invoiced through your child's ESA.
 
(Reminder: Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the second semester)

If you have questions about the ESA application, please contact Colleen Conway-Schiltz at 515.225.3000 or cconwayschiltz@dowlingcatholic.org.

Tuition Assistance

Additional tuition assistance programs are available to families who qualify. Find your income and household size in the chart below. Follow the arrow to see what programs you may be eligible for in the 2025-26 school year. 
 
The application process for the Catholic Tuition Organization (CTO) and Diocesan Tuition Assistance (DTA) is open now. Please note that applying for CTO/DTA does not affect eligibility for the Education Savings Account (ESA) program. 
 
To apply for CTO or DTA, please visit: https://fairapp.com
There is one application for both programs. 
 
Please contact Monica Navarro (Spanish) at 515-393-5287 with questions about tuition assistance.
Email: tuitionmgmt@dsmrcs.org
*In calculating the true cost to educate at DCHS, we include academic programming, faculty and staff compensation, technology, and capital/building maintenance. 

Dowling Catholic High School

Dowling Catholic High School is committed to serving the Greater Des Moines Catholic community and embracing learners of all faiths. In an environment that is faithful, caring and dedicated, Dowling Catholic forms each student to become a Christ-centered leader.