Very Good
#226 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 18% in state
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
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#3 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#154 of 662
In district
#2 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Moulton Elementary School
Moulton Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Moulton has an enrollment of 450 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each child's educational needs.
Moulton Elementary School’s academic performance is currently in the lower half among Iowa schools, with MySchoolScout ranking it at 4.4 out of 10 and placing it at #942 out of 1288 schools statewide (27th percentile). In terms of proficiency levels across ELA/Reading, Math, and Science, around 37% to 42% of students are proficient or above in these subjects. While the school has room for academic growth, it remains dedicated to supporting its students’ development.
Moulton Elementary School is situated in a mid-size city environment, offering a diverse and vibrant setting for its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Moulton Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Moulton Elementary School — Students at Moulton Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Moulton Elementary School Compares
See how Moulton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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 slightly higher. Another option is Monroe Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, King Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.3 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.5 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Moulton Elementary School has a median household income of $38,511. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,700, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden, IA | 7.6 |
| Bridgeview Elementary School Leclaire, IA | 7.6 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines, IA | 7.6 |
| Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building Denver, IA | 7.6 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk, IA | 7.6 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #226 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Moulton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Moulton Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Moulton Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Moulton Elementary School has 44.9% math proficiency and 41.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 72 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 45 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8427
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #2 of 59
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.