Cato Elementary School

Summary:

Cato Elementary School is a public elementary school in North Little Rock, Arkansas, serving 296 students in grades PK-5. It is part of the Pulaski County Special School District, which is ranked 173 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite serving a high-poverty population, with 96-100% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, Cato Elementary generally performs better than the district and state averages on standardized tests, especially in English Language Arts and Reading. In 2023-2024, 35.1% of Cato students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 28.7% for the district and 33.8% for the state. The school also spends more per student ($12,273) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (14.4 to 16.5) than nearby schools, which may contribute to its stronger academic performance.

When comparing Cato Elementary to other schools in the area, there is a clear divide in performance between schools within the Pulaski County Special School District and those in the North Little Rock School District. The North Little Rock schools generally outperform the Pulaski County schools on test scores and other metrics, suggesting that Cato Elementary's strong performance is noteworthy within its district context.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 9906 Cato Rd
       North Little Rock, AR  72120


(501) 833-1160

District: Pulaski County Special School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
236th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,273 Help


Students who attend Cato Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Sylvan Hills Middle School
High:    Sylvan Hills High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.3 Help
Number of students:  296

Racial breakdown:

White:
47.0%
African American:
32.8%
Hispanic:
11.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  96.6% Help


 See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

 Compare Cato Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cato Elementary School ranks better than 52.5% of elementary schools in Arkansas. It also ranks 5th among 16 ranked elementary schools in the Pulaski County Special School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 52.79. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (47%), African American (32.8%), Hispanic (11.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 96.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cato Elementary School is 15.3. 9 elementary schools in the Pulaski County Special School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Cato Elementary School employs 19.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cato Elementary School is $12,273. 8 elementary schools in the Pulaski County Special School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Cato Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Pulaski County Special School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Pulaski County Special School District 173rd of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Cato Elementary School?

Rank History for Cato Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 61.20 169th 411 58.9%
2006 55.95 204th 402 49.3%
2007 40.39 306th 440 30.5%
2008 55.82 217th 439 50.6%
2009 45.21 287th 445 35.5%
2010 56.35 233rd 457 49.0%
2011 45.67 313th 471 33.5%
2012 41.09 343rd 468 26.7%
2013 38.24 352nd 476 26.1%
2014 48.31 289th 471 38.6%
2015 31.34 348th 466 25.3%
2016 43.95 309th 494 37.4%
2017 56.78 206th 485 57.5%
2018 64.01 176th 480 63.3%
2019 68.12 144th 488 70.5%
2021 43.66 304th 496 38.7%
2022 61.14 193rd 487 60.4%
2023 50.37 271st 492 44.9%
2024 52.79 236th 497 52.5%
See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Cato Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.5)
50%

50%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Saturday, October 18, 2014

Open Quote Cato has the most caring teachers I have ever met! K-2 every teacher my son has had has text me to update me on how he is doing. The principal is extremely fair and very efficient! I'm so sad we have to move I'm scared I won't find another school like it!! They have been like family to us ! My son's teacher even calls him when he's having trouble with homework! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Cato Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 524 121 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 645
1989 519 115 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 634
1990 516 139 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 656
1991 498 156 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 655
1992 519 142 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 663
1993 510 136 2 0 2 n/a n/a 0 650
1994 443 125 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 569
1995 431 119 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 552
1996 431 119 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 552
1997 415 118 6 2 1 n/a n/a 0 542
1998 406 116 2 5 0 n/a n/a 0 529
1999 369 141 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 510
2000 326 124 3 8 3 n/a n/a 0 464
2001 362 136 2 9 2 n/a n/a 0 511
2002 263 103 1 12 2 n/a n/a 0 381
2003 263 103 1 12 2 n/a n/a 0 381
2004 233 90 0 13 0 n/a n/a 0 336
2005 253 97 1 9 1 n/a n/a 0 361
2006 233 100 1 12 3 n/a n/a 0 349
2007 215 122 4 13 5 n/a n/a 0 359
2008 215 111 3 15 4 n/a n/a 0 348
2009 227 108 2 7 3 n/a n/a 0 347
2010 234 98 2 15 3 0 0 0 352
2011 224 86 0 11 2 0 0 0 323
2012 212 84 0 13 4 0 1 0 314
2013 217 100 1 16 4 0 3 0 341
2014 222 102 0 24 2 0 1 0 351
2015 215 123 2 20 3 1 2 0 366
2016 202 142 1 16 2 1 9 0 373
2017 189 85 0 23 1 1 13 0 312
2018 169 74 0 25 3 0 18 0 289
2019 183 79 0 25 5 0 25 0 317
2020 170 82 2 33 3 1 17 0 308
2021 166 80 5 31 3 0 18 0 303
2022 159 90 4 27 1 0 23 0 304
2023 139 97 4 34 0 0 22 0 296

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Cato Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 645 30.0 21.5 n/a
1989 634 31.0 20.4 n/a
1990 656 31.0 21.1 29
1991 655 31.5 20.7 28.2
1992 663 32.1 20.6 32.1
1993 650 32.2 20.2 31.1
1994 569 29.1 19.6 35.9
1995 552 29.0 19.0 47.1
1996 552 29.0 19.0 47.1
1997 542 28.0 19.4 42.3
1998 529 28.0 18.9 38
1999 510 22.0 23.2 50.8
2000 464 21.0 22.1 64.7
2001 511 28.0 18.3 46.2
2002 381 23.0 16.6 50.4
2003 381 23.0 16.6 50.4
2004 336 21.0 16.0 42.3
2005 361 22.0 16.4 47.1
2006 349 19.0 18.4 53.3
2007 359 24.0 15.0 59.1
2008 348 26.0 13.4 65.5
2009 347 25.0 13.9 65.1
2010 352 26.5 13.5 67
2011 323 22.9 14.1 69
2012 314 20.0 15.6 65.9
2013 341 21.0 16.1 78.6
2014 351 24.5 14.3 73.8
2015 366 24.0 15.2 77
2016 373 23.0 16.2 79.1
2017 312 22.7 13.7 31.1
2018 289 22.5 12.8 33.6
2019 317 20.2 15.6 68.1
2020 308 21.7 14.1 61
2021 303 18.2 16.5 100
2022 304 21.0 14.4 96.4
2023 296 19.2 15.3 96.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Cato Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 645 30.0 21.5 n/a
1989 634 31.0 20.4 n/a
1990 656 31.0 21.1 29
1991 655 31.5 20.7 28.2
1992 663 32.1 20.6 32.1
1993 650 32.2 20.2 31.1
1994 569 29.1 19.6 35.9
1995 552 29.0 19.0 47.1
1996 552 29.0 19.0 47.1
1997 542 28.0 19.4 42.3
1998 529 28.0 18.9 38
1999 510 22.0 23.2 50.8
2000 464 21.0 22.1 64.7
2001 511 28.0 18.3 46.2
2002 381 23.0 16.6 50.4
2003 381 23.0 16.6 50.4
2004 336 21.0 16.0 42.3
2005 361 22.0 16.4 47.1
2006 349 19.0 18.4 53.3
2007 359 24.0 15.0 59.1
2008 348 26.0 13.4 65.5
2009 347 25.0 13.9 65.1
2010 352 26.5 13.5 67
2011 323 22.9 14.1 69
2012 314 20.0 15.6 65.9
2013 341 21.0 16.1 78.6
2014 351 24.5 14.3 73.8
2015 366 24.0 15.2 77
2016 373 23.0 16.2 79.1
2017 312 22.7 13.7 31.1
2018 289 22.5 12.8 33.6
2019 317 20.2 15.6 68.1
2020 308 21.7 14.1 61
2021 303 18.2 16.5 100
2022 304 21.0 14.4 96.4
2023 296 19.2 15.3 96.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Cato Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,293 (18.7%) $9,980 (81.3%) $12,273

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cato Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 144th of 488 Elementary schoolsRanks 271st of 492 Elementary schools
 25.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Cato Elementary School)9066.6
 23.4%
   3rd Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)77.463.7
 13.7%
   3rd Grade English (Arkansas)72.462.6
 9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Cato Elementary School)8546.7
 38.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)62.250.1
 12.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)62.154.4
 7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Cato Elementary School)47.528.9
 18.6%
   3rd Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)43.930.9
 13%
   3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)39.435
 4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Cato Elementary School)42.537.8
 4.7%
   3rd Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)42.132.8
 9.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)38.332.2
 6.1%
4th Grade English (Cato Elementary School)81.955.7
 26.2%
   4th Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)71.161.9
 9.2%
   4th Grade English (Arkansas)69.663.3
 6.3%
4th Grade Math (Cato Elementary School)72.748.1
 24.6%
   4th Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)54.348.2
 6.1%
   4th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.848.6
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Cato Elementary School)27.334.6
 7.3%
   4th Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)44.536.5
 8%
   4th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.338.5
 3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Cato Elementary School)5038.5
 11.5%
   4th Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)49.343.3
 6%
   4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)45.342
 3.3%
5th Grade English (Cato Elementary School)81.473
 8.4%
   5th Grade English (Pulaski County Special School District)73.371.8
 1.5%
   5th Grade English (Arkansas)73.370.2
 3.1%
5th Grade Math (Cato Elementary School)55.847.9
 7.9%
   5th Grade Math (Pulaski County Special School District)4541.4
 3.6%
   5th Grade Math (Arkansas)49.240.7
 8.5%
5th Grade Science (Cato Elementary School)39.529.2
 10.3%
   5th Grade Science (Pulaski County Special School District)38.330
 8.3%
   5th Grade Science (Arkansas)40.734.6
 6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Cato Elementary School)39.631.3
 8.3%
   5th Grade Reading (Pulaski County Special School District)39.537.8
 1.7%
   5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)4136.8
 4.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students317296
 6.6%
African American7997
 22.8%
American Indian50
 100%
Asian04
Hispanic2534
 36%
Pacific Islander00
White183139
 24%
Two or More Races2522
 12%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients68.1%96.6%
 28.5%


Schools Near Cato Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Cato Elementary School

Students who attend Cato Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Sylvan Hills Middle School
High : Sylvan Hills High School

Cato Elementary School ranks 236th of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Cato Elementary School are 47% White, 33% African American, 11% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 296 students attended Cato Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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