Iowa Association of Christian Schools

The Public Policy Voice of Iowa's Protestant, Christ-Centered Schools since 1976.

The public policy voice of Iowa's Protestant,
Christ-centered schools since 1976.

About

What is the Iowa Association of Christian Schools (IACS)?

Below is a description of who we are, what we believe, and what general services we provide.  Please contact us with any questions!

  • Founded in 1976, IACS is a not-for-profit 501(c)4 organization. All board members/officers serve in a volunteer capacity.
  • Our mission: “Strengthening, Growing, and Advocating for Christian Schools in Iowa.”
  • Our primary function is to represent Christian schools in public policy both by tracking legislation/public policy to provide information to member schools, as well as advocating on behalf of our member schools in the Iowa Legislature.  IACS also educates Iowans on the benefits of school choice programs and Christ-centered education, helping build a culture of educational excellence and school choice in Iowa.
  • IACS is the ONLY organization in Iowa serving as the public policy voice for Iowa’s Protestant Schools and the only organization that specializes in the unique needs of these schools.
  • IACS has contracted with Eric Goranson of Goranson Consulting, Inc. since the 2007 legislative session.

IACS Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the creator of the universe and that God the Creator is also the giver of life. (John 1:1-3)

We believe the Bible is God’s word for mankind for the purpose of revealing who He is. We believe the Scriptures are inerrant and infallible. (2 Timothy 3:16)

We believe in one God in three Persons, consisting of the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 8:6, John 14:17, John 14:26)

We believe Jesus came to mankind as a man yet retained the Divinity of God. We believe He lived a sinless life and was rejected by man and crucified. We believe He resurrected according to the will of the Father and is the Mediator between God and man to make possible eternal life for those who believe. (Colossians 2:9, Matthew 1:23, John 8:58, John 11:25-26, I Peter 1:3)

How will IACS Membership benefit your school?

Through legislative updates, IACS will provide you with information about legislation that will affect your school.

For over 40 years, IACS has lobbied successfully on behalf of Christ-centered schools in Iowa.  IACS has been instrumental in lobbying for:

  • Independent Accreditation passed in 2013 with its “sunset” provision removed in 2016!
  • Protected the option of “College Prep” or “Special Accreditation” for Iowa’s private high schools.
  • Tuition & Textbook Tax Credit – raised the cap multiple times.
  • Increased textbook funding. Worked successfully with coalition partners in 2010 to expand funding to include classroom instructional technology.
  • Protected transportation appropriations for parents who transport their students to school or to provide public schools resources to transport private school students.
  • The Educational Opportunities Act, which funds our School Tuition Organizations (STOs). We worked with coalition partners to dramatically expand this program over multiple years. This program has brought needed resources to many of our member schools through scholarships to eligible families.
  • Education Savings Account (ESA) legislation that resulted in the Students First Act, signed into law in January 2023, creating universal Education Savings Accounts for all families regardless of income by 2025-26. IACS was an original organization responsible for the drafting of the first ESA bill in 2011.

Your IACS dues get a BIG bang for your buck!

IACS has also lobbied against legislation that would place an undue burden on our schools or conflict with our values, including:

  • We oppose numerous unfunded mandates each year.  Almost every unfunded mandate we successfully oppose (which is most of them) saves your school considerably more than your IACS dues each year.
  • The option of Special Accreditation for College Preparatory Schools has been protected. IACS leads the way in organizing schools involved and will continue to fight for all school-choice options and our rights as private, faith-based schools.
  • We lobby against bills that are incompatible with our role and mission as Christ-centered schools. We continue to fight for the rights of schools even after laws have been enacted.  We often work with schools to resolve conflicts and issues arising from laws or administrative rules that violate our schools’ collective, universal mission as Biblically-based education institutions.

IACS also maintains a great working relationship with the Iowa Alliance/Advocates for Choice in Education, the Iowa Catholic Conference, Homeschool Iowa, and other like-minded organizations willing to work together for parental rights and choice in education.

Does IACS benefit non-accredited schools?

Absolutely!!  We provide all schools a voice in promoting the value of Christian education and parental choice in education.  We need EVERY Christian school to be involved!  Make sure your voice is heard!

Does IACS benefit Preschools?

Absolutely!!  We have a history of working with our member schools’ preschool programs.  We are exploring ways to help other preschools moving forward.