Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Moscow

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Moscow Downtown Historic DistrictMoscow Downtown Historic District · Photo: Candy29c · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Moscow · Moscow School District 281

Moscow’s public schools outscore 80% of Idaho districts

On the state math tests, 52% of Moscow’s students scored proficient, above the Idaho average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Moscow, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Idaho, not nationally.

#5of 59 Idaho townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Idaho state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
66%
▲ 11 pts vs ID 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
52%
▲ 10 pts vs ID 42%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 4–8 pts vs ID 81%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.3K
▲ 28% vs ID $11.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.9
ID 17.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
9
2,089 students on the public path
In brief

Moscow’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 112 Idaho towns with household incomes within a quarter of Moscow’s, its schools beat 94%, higher than their 80% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 66% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 55% and 42% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,255 per student, against $11,119 across Idaho (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Moscow Middle School, then Moscow High School. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Palouse Prairie Charter School, Moscow Charter School, Logos Online School (private) and St. Mary's Parish School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Moscow’s grade

A− Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 80% of Idaho school districts, #5 of 59 Idaho towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Idaho average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Idaho school districts we grade (170)Better than 80%
Lower resultsHigher results
Idaho towns with similar household incomes (112)Better than 94%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,270 test results and a graduating class of 178 could put Moscow anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Moscow’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,267 in math, 1,273 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Moscow, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
6–8Moscow Middle SchoolMoscow School District 281B+
9–12Moscow High SchoolMoscow School District 281A

Moscow’s public schools are run by Moscow School District 281. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Moscow School District 281Grades PK–12 · 7 schools · 2,295 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 14.9 per teacher (ID 17.9)
$14,255ID $11,119 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading66%
State average 54.8% · 1273 students tested
Math52%
State average 41.9% · 1267 students tested

Moscow vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Idaho towns that share Moscow’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MoscowA−Moscow School District 281

Every school in Moscow

9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Idaho’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Moscowby address
A B McDonald Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
341 students15:1Rate it →
Lena Whitmore Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A−
248 students13:1Rate it →
West Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
240 students14:1Rate it →
Moscow Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B+
500 students14:1Rate it →
Moscow High School
High · Grades 9–12
A
760 students17:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Palouse Prairie Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–8
A−
Charter
185 students15:1Rate it →
Moscow Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–8
A−
Charter
185 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Logos Online School
High · Grades 7–12
Private · Religious
1,200 students23:1Rate it →
St. Mary's Parish School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
103 students11:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Paradise Creek Regional High School).

Questions about Moscow’s schools

Are Moscow’s schools good?

By Idaho’s own tests, yes: the public schools Moscow children attend outscore 80% of Idaho’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #5 of 59 Idaho towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Moscow in?

Moscow School District 281, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,295 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Moscow kids go to high school?

Moscow High School, with 760 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Moscow’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Moscow School District 281 graduated in four years, against 81% across Idaho.

How much does Moscow spend per student?

$14,255 in Moscow School District 281 (FY2024), against $11,119 across Idaho. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Moscow?

Yes: Logos Online School (religious, grades 7–12, 1,200 students) and St. Mary's Parish School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 103 students). Moscow also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Moscow families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Moscow → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Idaho. Stars are from neighbors.