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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Mt Olive Lutheran School compares to 57 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
This School
vs
14:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
126
This School
vs
393
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.5
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 81.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 7.9% vs 0%
Black 7.1% vs 0%
Asian 3.2% vs 0%
Mt Olive Lutheran School Des Moines Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,320
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 32%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 126
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)

Math Proficiency 84.2%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 87.6%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 81.7%
Hispanic 7.9%
Black 7.1%
Asian 3.2%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,846/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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