Excellent
#4 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 2% of private schools
Mt Olive Lutheran School
Elementary School
5625 FRANKLIN AVE, Des Moines, IA 50310
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 60 schools in Des Moines. Learn more
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher
7.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher
7.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#1 of 13
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#2 of 103
About Mt Olive Lutheran School
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL serves 126 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Des Moines, offering a small, close-knit educational environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive personalized attention that's rare in today's educational landscape. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking #43 out of 157 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 73rd percentile among Iowa schools.
This solid academic standing reflects the school's commitment to student achievement and educational excellence. Located on Franklin Avenue in the 50310 ZIP code area, MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL sits within a stable, middle-class community where the median household income reaches $73,369 and median home values are $197,000. The neighborhood demonstrates a commitment to education, with 36% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 9.9%.
The intimate school size combined with the low student-teacher ratio creates an environment where teachers can truly know each student and tailor instruction to individual needs. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL operates within Des Moines' mid-size city setting, providing families with the benefits of urban amenities while maintaining a community-focused educational approach.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 126 students, Mt Olive Lutheran School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, Mt Olive Lutheran School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Mt Olive Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Mt Olive Lutheran School compares to 57 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mt Olive Lutheran School (this school) | 8.5 |
| Hillis Elementary School | 5.5 |
| Cowles Elementary School | 6.0 |
| Windsor Elementary | 6.2 |
| Perkins Elementary School | 5.0 |
| Clive Learning Academy | 7.6 |
| Moore Elementary School | 5.4 |
| Meredith Middle School | 6.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary | 7.2 |
| Monroe Elementary School | 7.3 |
| Merrill Middle School | 6.0 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center | 5.1 |
| Hanawalt Elementary | 6.7 |
| Samuelson Elementary School | 5.8 |
| Callanan Middle School | 4.2 |
| Greenwood Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Ruby Van Meter | 5.1 |
| King Elementary School | 7.2 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor | 5.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School | 5.7 |
| Downtown School | 6.2 |
Showing 20 of 57 schools. View all schools in Des Moines
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in IA
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
5625 FRANKLIN AVE, Des Moines, IA 50310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mt Olive Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Olmsted Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), with a comparable rating. Another option is Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | — |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,473
Median Home Value
$213,800
Median Rent
$1,043/mo
Population
31,283
College Educated
36.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mt Olive Lutheran School has a median household income of $74,473. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,800, with a median rent of $1,043/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus, IA | 8.5 |
| BCLUW Elementary School Conrad, IA | 8.7 |
| Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs Nora Springs, IA | 8.7 |
| Fredericksburg Elem School Fredericksburg, IA | 8.3 |
| North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr Mechanicsville, IA | 8.7 |
| North Elementary School Leon, IA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mt Olive Lutheran School
What grades does Mt Olive Lutheran School serve?
Mt Olive Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Mt Olive Lutheran School?
Mt Olive Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mt Olive Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mt Olive Lutheran School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Mt Olive Lutheran School rank in IA?
Mt Olive Lutheran School is ranked #4 out of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Mt Olive Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mt Olive Lutheran School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Mt Olive Lutheran School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mt Olive Lutheran School has 84.2% math proficiency and 87.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mt Olive Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Mt Olive Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Mt Olive Lutheran School a religious school?
Mt Olive Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 126
- Gender Split
- 63% M / 37% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 165 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- POLK
- Phone
- (515) 277-8349
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.