Cattell Elementary School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

322 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Cattell Elementary School, located in the Capitol Park neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa, serves as a vital educational hub within the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) district. As a neighborhood school, it is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for students in the surrounding community. The school focuses on building strong foundational skills in literacy and mathematics while emphasizing the social-emotional development necessary for students to thrive as they progress through their primary education.

Like many schools within the Des Moines district, Cattell Elementary strives to provide a well-rounded experience by integrating technology into the classroom and promoting a culture of academic growth. The school is known for its dedication to serving a diverse student population, working closely with families and community partners to ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed. By prioritizing both high academic expectations and a nurturing school climate, Cattell Elementary plays a key role in preparing its students for success in middle school and beyond.

322

Total Students

29.1

Full-Time Teachers

11.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

84.2%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Cattell Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	89
Hispanic	111
Black	66
Asian	21
Two or More	31
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	1

Hispanic
111 (34.5 %)
White
89 (27.6 %)
Black
66 (20.5 %)
Two or More
31 (9.6 %)
Asian
21 (6.5 %)
American Indian
3 (0.9 %)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.3 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Phone:	(515)242-8403
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	322
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	29.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	11.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	231
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	40

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 48

Grade 1 59

Grade 2 47

Grade 3 65

Grade 4 54

Grade 5 49