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Cato Elementary School

Q: Is Cato Elementary School a good school?

Cato Elementary School ranks 217 th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

217^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 56% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Cato Elementary School in Sherwood, AR, is a mid-sized school serving 305 students from Pre-K through 5th grade within the Pulaski County Special School District, and it has recently earned a 3-star rating, ranking in the 56th percentile statewide—a notable improvement from its 2-star rating the previous year.

Cato stands out as a school on the rise, showing strong upward momentum that many nearby schools lack. For example, while Sherwood Elementary School (68th percentile) saw a slight dip from its peak, and William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School (15th percentile) and Oakbrooke Elementary School (35th percentile) are trending downward, Cato’s state ranking jumped from the 43rd to the 56th percentile. The school’s greatest strength is in its upper elementary grades: 5th graders significantly outperformed both district and state averages in English Language Arts (58% vs. 46.1% district, 40.9% state) and Reading (58% vs. 48.1% district, 41.1% state). However, a key challenge is a 3rd-grade slump, where scores in ELA, Reading, Math, and Science fell well below state averages, suggesting that students who stay at Cato tend to catch up and excel by 5th grade. Notably, Cato’s per-student spending ($13,309) is in the middle of the pack compared to peers like Indian Hills Elementary School ($14,200) and Sylvan Hills Elementary School ($13,161), indicating that its recent gains may be driven by instructional quality rather than extra funding.

An interesting comparison is Crestwood Elementary School in the North Little Rock School District, which ranks in the 81st percentile with stellar test scores despite a high free/reduced lunch rate—showing that poverty does not dictate performance and suggesting Cato has room to grow. Meanwhile, Cato is a bright spot in its district, outperforming the district average in all subjects, while schools in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, like Bobby G Lester Elementary School (9th percentile), struggle with proficiency rates often half of Cato’s.

305

Students ?

17.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,309

Per pupil spending ?

60.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

9906 Jacksonville Cato Road
Sherwood, AR 72120

(501) 833-1160

District: Pulaski County Special School District

Students who attend Cato Elementary School usually attend:

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

Racial breakdown:

White:

46.9%

African American:

31.8%

Hispanic:

12.5%

See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

Compare Cato Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 37th percentile in 2016 → 56th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 19 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Arkansas median (56th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

District avg37%

Arkansas avg42%

217^th of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Top 44%▲ up 18 pts since 2016

From bottom 37% (2016) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 16Elementary Schools in the Pulaski County Special School District

158^th of 251Pulaski County Special School District among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	56.8	217 of 491	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.1	282 of 495	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.8	236 of 497	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.4	271 of 492	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	61.1	193 of 487	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.7	304 of 496	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	68.1	144 of 488	70.5%	★★★★☆
2018	64.0	176 of 480	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	56.8	206 of 485	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	43.9	309 of 494	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	31.3	348 of 466	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	48.3	289 of 471	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	38.2	352 of 476	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	41.1	343 of 468	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	45.7	313 of 471	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	56.3	233 of 457	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2009	45.2	287 of 445	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	55.8	217 of 439	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	40.4	306 of 440	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2006	55.9	204 of 402	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2005	61.2	169 of 411	58.9%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts48%+9 vs state

Reading47%+6 vs state

Science43%~ state avg

Mathematics39%-5 vs state

4.5

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent on FaceBook
Saturday, October 18, 2014

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

Schools Near Cato Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)				ATLAS Reading (2026)				ATLAS Mathematics (2026)				ATLAS Science (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cato Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9906 Jacksonville Cato Road	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1160	305	17	17.4	60.7%	143 (46.9%)	97 (31.8%)	38 (12.5%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.9%)	56.8	217^th of 491 public elementary schools	55.8%		46.1	282^nd of 495 public elementary schools	43.0%	65	34.2	49.0	58.0	48.2	34.2	44.9	58.0	46.7	26.3	42.8	44.0	38.7	36.8	42.8	48.0	43.0	$13,309	$831	$12,478
Sylvan Hills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	402 Dee Jay Hudson Drive	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1140	516	29	17.7	48.8%	185 (35.9%)	234 (45.3%)	37 (7.2%)	14 (2.7%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.9%)	56.9	215^th of 491 public elementary schools	56.2%		61.5	183^rd of 495 public elementary schools	63.0%	32	45.4	39.1	52.4	45.6	45.4	37.8	54.8	46.0	29.3	34.1	45.1	36.4	42.7	45.1	56.0	48.1	$13,161	$1,117	$12,044
Oakbrooke Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2200 Thornhill	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1190	408	26	15.6	57.1%	148 (36.3%)	198 (48.5%)	26 (6.4%)	7 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.1%)	38.6	319^th of 491 public elementary schools	35.0%		42.4	300^th of 495 public elementary schools	39.4%	19	22.5	35.8	44.0	33.9	22.6	37.7	49.1	36.2	22.9	33.9	35.6	30.6	32.8	26.5	66.1	42.2	$13,741	$1,250	$12,491
Bobby G Lester Elementary School	Public	K-5	601 Harris Road 72076	Jacksonville	72076	Pulaski County	Jacksonville North Pulaski School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 982-7456	421	32	13.1	45.1%	142 (33.7%)	189 (44.9%)	48 (11.4%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.7%)	35 (8.3%)	12.8	448^th of 491 public elementary schools	8.8%		28.5	374^th of 495 public elementary schools	24.4%	74	23.2	18.8	20.0	20.8	30.1	17.2	22.7	23.6	24.6	20.3	25.3	23.5	25.0	20.3	18.6	21.3	$14,165	$1,169	$12,996
William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	142 Hollywood Avenue	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1200	586	39	15.0	72.9%	95 (16.2%)	365 (62.3%)	73 (12.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (8.7%)	20	418^th of 491 public elementary schools	14.9%		24.5	392^nd of 495 public elementary schools	20.8%	26	26.1	31.4	27.2	27.9	27.2	32.8	27.1	28.8	20.6	26.9	30.0	25.4	21.7	23.9	31.4	25.4	$14,059	$1,358	$12,701
Indian Hills Elementary School	Public	K-5	6800 Indian Hills Drive	North Little Rock	72116	Pulaski County	North Little Rock School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 835-5622	398	28	14.1	100.0%	145 (36.4%)	181 (45.5%)	29 (7.3%)	5 (1.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (8.8%)	40.4	306^th of 491 public elementary schools	37.7%		38.5	322^nd of 495 public elementary schools	34.9%	16	37.3	37.8	35.0	36.7	36.6	34.5	36.7	35.9	33.9	42.7	50.0	42.2	33.9	41.0	26.6	33.9	$14,200	$2,450	$11,749
Sherwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	307 Verona Avenue	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1150	424	22	19.0	46.7%	173 (40.8%)	181 (42.7%)	28 (6.6%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	33 (7.8%)	67.6	156^th of 491 public elementary schools	68.2%		63.5	171^st of 495 public elementary schools	65.5%	15	37.5	52.4	68.1	52.5	37.5	58.7	72.3	56.3	14.6	36.0	68.1	39.0	50.0	55.5	61.7	55.7	$14,181	$1,141	$13,040
Crestwood Elementary School	Public	K-5	1901 Crestwood Road	North Little Rock	72116	Pulaski County	North Little Rock School District	No	No	No	No	(501) 771-8190	466	25	18.4	100.0%	261 (56.0%)	109 (23.4%)	45 (9.7%)	14 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (7.9%)	77.7	93^rd of 491 public elementary schools	81.1%		88.3	47^th of 495 public elementary schools	90.5%	46	47.6	55.8	50.7	51.5	48.8	55.8	52.0	52.2	67.1	47.7	58.9	57.7	49.4	59.3	64.4	57.5	$12,666	$1,969	$10,697
Lisa Academy North Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	5410 Landers Rd	Sherwood	72117	Pulaski County	Lisa Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 945-2727	654	31	21.1	72.3%	132 (20.2%)	318 (48.6%)	144 (22.0%)	30 (4.6%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.5%)	25 (3.8%)	42.9	295^th of 491 public elementary schools	39.9%		46.2	281^st of 495 public elementary schools	43.2%	14	44.6	36.9	41.2	40.8	46.6	36.9	41.2	41.5	28.7	31.1	42.1	33.9	36.6	35.0	32.3	34.6	$9,071	$1,157	$7,914
Bayou Meto Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	26405 Highway 107	Jacksonville	72076	Pulaski County	Jacksonville North Pulaski School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 988-4131	416	28	14.7	48.6%	254 (61.1%)	91 (21.9%)	36 (8.7%)	7 (1.7%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.5%)	33.6	349^th of 491 public elementary schools	28.9%		38.6	321^st of 495 public elementary schools	35.2%	28	35.1	24.6	47.2	35.1	31.6	25.8	47.3	34.3	45.7	24.2	38.2	35.4	35.1	22.7	27.3	28.0	$13,143	$1,471	$11,673

Frequently Asked Questions about Cato Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Cato Elementary School?

Students at Cato Elementary School are 47% White, 32% African American, 12% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races.

Is Cato Elementary School a good school?

Cato Elementary School ranks 217^th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Cato Elementary School in?

Pulaski County Special School District

How many students attend Cato Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 305 students attended Cato Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Cato Elementary School attend?

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

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