Dowling Elementary

www.mpls.k12.mn.us/

399 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Dowling Elementary, located along the West River Parkway in Minneapolis, is a unique public school within the Minneapolis Public Schools district. Known for its strong focus on inclusivity, the school serves a diverse student body, including many students with special needs and physical disabilities. Its location near the Mississippi River provides an enriching environment, often integrated into the school’s commitment to providing a supportive, community-centered educational experience.

The school is well-regarded for its emphasis on holistic development, balancing rigorous academic standards with a focus on social-emotional learning. By fostering an environment where students of all abilities learn and grow alongside one another, Dowling strives to build a collaborative culture that prepares children for future success. Its partnership with the broader Minneapolis community and its proximity to scenic outdoor areas further enhance its identity as a neighborhood school dedicated to equity and academic achievement.

399

Total Students

24.9

Full-Time Teachers

16.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

39.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Dowling Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	228
Hispanic	34
Black	79
Asian	5
Two or More	36
American Indian	17

White
228 (57.1%)
Black
79 (19.8%)
Two or More
36 (9.0%)
Hispanic
34 (8.5%)
American Indian
17 (4.3%)
Asian
5 (1.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Minneapolis Public School District
Phone:	(612)668-4410
Website:	http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	399
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	24.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	138
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	19

* 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 80

Grade 1 77

Grade 2 72

Grade 3 52

Grade 4 56

Grade 5 62