The Need for a New Catholic School
Growth and Changing Demographics
2000 New Catholics by 2035
The location for Saint Joan of Arc Catholic school is perfectly located to service the growth and expansion in Northeast Bettendorf. The school will be located at the corner of Criswell Street and Hopewell Avenue – just East of the TBK Bank Sports Complex. Bettendorf’s overall area population and commercial growth is concentrated in this area with the growth of Catholic families likewise following this trend. The Bettendorf population center is moving North and East, where population is expected to grow by 23% by 2035. The Diocese of Davenport projects, that based on these statistics, 2000 more Catholics will live in Bettendorf by 2035. With the majority moving to Northeast Bettendorf near the St. Joan of Arc Catholic School and the new Catholic Church that will be built following completion of the school.
Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project
Priest Shortage and Aging Facilities
Our Lady of Lourdes and St. John Vianney have worked closely together in developing a master plan proactively to adapt to changing needs in our community. Our aging facilities and membership; a shortage of priests; a growing, shifting population and recent changes to how our Catholic schools are funded bring both significant challenges and opportunities.
Established in 1919, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic school has served us well with a long-term commitment to excellence in faith-based, Catholic Education. Over the years, several expansions and additions were added to meet growth and new needs. Increased maintenance costs, no room for expansion, and changing demographics all speak to the need for a new facility – located where Bettendorf is growing. The time has come to move on to a new modern school of the 21st Century. The St. Joan of Arc Catholic School will go forward with the proud tradition of Catholic Education.
Opportunity
The Students First Act created the Iowa ESA Program, which makes state funding available to every student in Iowa between kindergarten and high school. The funds are placed into education savings accounts and can be used by eligible families to cover qualified educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, and books. The program is available to all entering kindergarten students, all students enrolled in a public school, and a student enrolled in an accredited nonpublic school with a household income at or below 300% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines ($90,000 for a family of four). This threshold applies to the first two years of the program. In the program’s third year, all students in the state will be eligible.
Students First Education Savings Accounts | Iowa Department of Education (educateiowa.gov)
How to Meet the Need
St. Joan of Arc will provide a unique choice by offering a complete private Catholic School experience. The new school will provide Infant Care, Early Childhood instruction, two sections of K-8, a fully equipped Science Lab, Art Room, Music Room/Programs with a Performance Stage, a full-sized Gymnasium with wood floors and locker room facilities, a dedicated STEM lab, full-service Kitchen, and a Commons Area that serves as the cafeteria and opens up to the Gymnasium, Library, and the Learning Stairs activities area. In keeping with the Catholic Educational model, the school will have a Catholic Chapel that is accessible from the Common’s area. Additionally, before school and afterschool “Wrap Around” care will be available. Facilities will include a 50,000 sq. ft. playground area and an 8,000 sq. ft. “Outdoor Learning Area.” This combination will be convenient for families with children at various stages of development and the only school environment in the area that provides this broad array of comprehensive faith-based services.