Average
#702 of 1,035 schools in AR
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
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Little Rock
#9 of 21
public schools
Arkansas elementary schools
#284 of 509
In district
#20 of 26
PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Cato Elementary School
Cato Elementary School is a regular public school in North Little Rock, Arkansas, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 323 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child thrive. Located in a rural area near a town, Cato Elementary offers a close-knit community feel, fostering strong relationships between teachers, students, and families.
The academic performance at Cato Elementary is solid but has room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #240 among the 1044 schools in Arkansas (77th percentile). In reading and ELA, 42% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 57% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to ensure continued growth.
Cato Elementary School is situated in a rural area that offers a peaceful environment conducive to learning and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cato Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cato Elementary School — Students at Cato Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 3.4/10.
How Cato Elementary School Compares
See how Cato Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. SYLVAN HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Sherwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is SHERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Sherwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BOBBY G LESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores notably 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cato Elementary School has a median household income of $75,853. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,400, with a median rent of $1,026/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| MONTICELLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Monticello, AR | 5.6 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Rogers, AR | 5.6 |
| WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rison, AR | 5.6 |
| ACORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mena, AR | 5.5 |
| BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR | 5.5 |
| C.B. PARTEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brinkley, AR | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #702 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Cato Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cato Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Cato Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cato Elementary School has 57.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (5,510/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Little Rock). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (501) 833-1160
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 12,290
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,934
- District Rank
- #20 of 26
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.
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