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
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#4 of 157
In Des Moines
#1 of 13
public schools
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Mt Olive Lutheran School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hillis Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cowles Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mt Olive Lutheran School
Mt Olive Lutheran School is a private elementary school in Des Moines, IA. Mt Olive Lutheran School serves approximately 126 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 7.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Mt Olive Lutheran School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #4 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Mt Olive Lutheran School show 84% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 126 students, Mt Olive Lutheran School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.4:1 students to teachers, Mt Olive Lutheran School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Mt Olive Lutheran School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
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 | 3.0 |
| Cowles Elementary School | 7.7 |
| Windsor Elementary | 6.3 |
| Perkins Elementary School | 4.0 |
| Clive Learning Academy | 6.1 |
| Moore Elementary School | 6.9 |
| Meredith Middle School | 5.5 |
| Hubbell Elementary | 5.3 |
| Monroe Elementary School | 4.6 |
| Merrill Middle School | 6.2 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center | 2.7 |
| Hanawalt Elementary | 4.6 |
| Samuelson Elementary School | 5.7 |
| Callanan Middle School | 4.3 |
| Greenwood Elementary School | 6.0 |
| Ruby Van Meter | 2.5 |
| King Elementary School | 3.2 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor | 3.0 |
| Edmunds Elementary School | 6.0 |
| Downtown School | 5.8 |
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
PreliminaryWhat 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 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), a more accessible option. 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 | 3.0 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | — |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moravia Elementary School Moravia, IA | 8.5 |
| Adair-Casey Elementary School Adair, IA | 8.6 |
| Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City, IA | 8.4 |
| Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia, IA | 8.4 |
| Delhi Elementary School Delhi, IA | 8.4 |
| Morning Sun Elementary School Morning Sun, IA | 8.4 |
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 ranks #4 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Mt Olive Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mt Olive Lutheran School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Mt Olive Lutheran School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mt Olive Lutheran School has 84% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (515) 277-8349
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