The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in Math. The lowest is 26% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cattell Elementary School
Cattell Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and most populous city. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, a large urban district. Cattell sits on the east side of the city, in a residential area near the intersection of East 12th Street and East Euclid Avenue.
The student body is diverse. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by white students, Black students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a common indicator of economic need in public schools. Data on the share of students with disabilities or who are English learners was not available in the source materials.
Cattell is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is not a charter school, and its magnet status was not reported. The school’s Title I status was also not reported in the available data.
On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for the 2024-25 school year, about half of Cattell’s tested students scored at or above the proficient level in math, and about half did so in English language arts. In science, roughly a quarter of tested students reached proficiency. These results place the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Polk County. The comparison set includes all districts in the county, and the data shows that the school’s combined proficiency index sits below the midpoint of that group. A parent considering Cattell may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks, particularly in science, where the share of students reaching the proficient level is lower.
The school’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. The student body is majority non-white, with Hispanic students as the largest single group, followed by white students, Black students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. A small number of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students are also enrolled. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is high, which often correlates with a school receiving additional federal funding through Title I, though the school’s Title I status was not reported in the available data.
The school is located in a residential area of Des Moines’ east side. The city itself is Iowa’s capital and a major insurance and financial services hub, with a downtown core at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. The Des Moines metro area has seen population growth in recent years, and major technology companies have built data centers in the region, signaling ongoing economic development. The city maintains extensive parkland and trail systems, and its civic anchors include the Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, and the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Because Cattell serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school’s chronic absenteeism rate was also not available in the source data. A parent looking for information on student attendance patterns or discipline would need to ask the school directly.
The school’s housing context reflects the broader Des Moines market. Home values in the area are below the state average, and rents are moderate relative to national benchmarks. The national unemployment rate at the time of this data was modest, and mortgage rates were in the mid-single digits.
Cattell offers a standard elementary curriculum within a large urban district. A parent considering this school should weigh its diverse student body and central-city location against the academic proficiency results, which are below the county median. The school’s size is manageable, and its east-side location provides access to Des Moines’ parks and civic amenities. Families who value a diverse, urban elementary setting may find Cattell a reasonable fit, while those prioritizing higher test scores may want to explore other options in the district or county.
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