Below Average
#1046 of 1,280 schools in IA
Moulton Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
1541 8th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,046 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#22 of 64
public schools
In district
#18 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Moulton Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North High School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Jessie Franklin Taylor
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Moulton Elementary School
Moulton Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Moulton Elementary School serves approximately 450 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Moulton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,046 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Moulton Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Moulton Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Moulton Elementary School — Students at Moulton Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.
How Moulton Elementary School Compares
See how Moulton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1541 8th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Moulton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edmunds Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North High School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 3.0 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 2.9 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 2.1 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 2.4 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.5 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50314 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,511
Median Home Value
$146,700
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
10,203
College Educated
15.3%
Homeownership
46.4%
Poverty Rate
36.2%
Median Age
31.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Elementary School Clinton, IA | 4.7 |
| Northwest Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 4.7 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| ST COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL Dubuque, IA | 4.7 |
| Tipton Elementary School Tipton, IA | 4.7 |
| Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion, IA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Moulton Elementary School
What grades does Moulton Elementary School serve?
Moulton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Moulton Elementary School?
Moulton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 450 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Moulton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Moulton Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Moulton Elementary School rank in IA?
Moulton Elementary School ranks #1,046 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Moulton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Moulton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Moulton Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Moulton Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Moulton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Moulton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Moulton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Moulton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Moulton Elementary School?
88.2% of students at Moulton Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 450
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.7%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8427
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #18 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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