Very Good
#379 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 37% in state
Cato Elementary School
Elementary School · PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
9906 CATO RD, North Little Rock, AR 72120
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#379 of 1,036
In North Little Rock
#5 of 21
public schools
In district
#5 of 26
PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Equity
8.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Cato Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cato Elementary School
Elementary School in North Little Rock · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sylvan Hills Middle School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sylvan Hills Junior High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cato Elementary School
Cato Elementary School is a public elementary school in North Little Rock, AR, part of PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Cato Elementary School serves approximately 323 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Cato Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #379 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Cato Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 5.8
- AR avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Cato Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cato Elementary School — Students at Cato Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Cato Elementary School Compares
See how Cato Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
9906 CATO RD, North Little Rock, AR 72120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cato Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LISA ACADEMY NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Sherwood), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BOBBY G LESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in North Little Rock, see our North Little Rock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,853
Median Home Value
$189,400
Median Rent
$1,026/mo
Population
33,393
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
71.3%
Avg Commute
25.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
42
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CALDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benton, AR | 7.0 |
| MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy, AR | 7.0 |
| WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hartman, AR | 7.0 |
| WOODROW CUMMINS ELEMENTARY SCH Conway, AR | 7.0 |
| BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR | 7.1 |
| COLLEGE HILL HARMONY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Texarkana, AR | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cato Elementary School
What grades does Cato Elementary School serve?
Cato Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cato Elementary School?
Cato Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cato Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cato Elementary School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cato Elementary School rank in AR?
Cato Elementary School ranks #379 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Cato Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cato Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Cato Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cato Elementary School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cato Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cato Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cato Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cato Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cato Elementary School?
98.8% of students at Cato 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 323
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pulaski County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.5%
- Phone
- (501) 833-1160
Resources & Links
District
PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 12,290
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,934
- District Rank
- #5 of 26
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet 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.