Average
#917 of 1,280 schools in IA
Cattell Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
3101 E 12th St, Des Moines, IA 50316
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#917 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#18 of 64
public schools
In district
#14 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Shortlisting around Cattell 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.
Cattell Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Madison Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harding Middle School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cattell Elementary School
Cattell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Cattell Elementary School serves approximately 308 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cattell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #917 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Cattell Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Cattell Elementary School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
47% of students at Cattell Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cattell Elementary School — Students at Cattell Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Cattell Elementary School Compares
See how Cattell 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
3101 E 12th St, Des Moines, IA 50316
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cattell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garton Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Capitol View Elementary School (rated 5.0/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 2.8 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 3.0 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.4 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Saydel High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 2.4 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Woodside Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 3.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,090
Median Home Value
$137,300
Median Rent
$963/mo
Population
16,188
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
66.5%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Median Age
31.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa, IA | 5.3 |
| East Marshall Elementary School Laurel, IA | 5.3 |
| Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton, IA | 5.3 |
| Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 5.3 |
| Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden, IA | 5.3 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cattell Elementary School
What grades does Cattell Elementary School serve?
Cattell Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cattell Elementary School?
Cattell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 308 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cattell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cattell Elementary School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cattell Elementary School rank in IA?
Cattell Elementary School ranks #917 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cattell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cattell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Cattell Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cattell Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cattell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cattell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cattell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cattell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cattell Elementary School?
78.9% of students at Cattell 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 308
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.4%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8403
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #14 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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 rateRelated reading
Get 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.