Dowling Community School

3900 W River Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 668-4410 School website
Grades:
K-5
Link to enroll
School hours:
Mon-Fri 9:30AM-4PM
Before school care:
Yes
After school care:
Yes
District:
Minneapolis Public Schools

School performance rating

61%

About

Languages spoken by school staff

English, Spanish, Somali

Extra programming

Dowling offers a strong offering of extracurricular programming that includes a variety of choices throughout the year. Many of their students stay after school to participate in Safety Patrol, art courses, & Gems, & Gies, just to name a few.

Extracurriculars Offered:

Environmental/Outdoors Clubs, STEM/STEAM Clubs, Theater

Uniforms

Students who attend Dowling Community School are not required to wear uniforms.

How to enroll

If interested in enrolling, contact Student Placement Services at (612) 668-1840 or sps.department@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Students at this school

Students, by population (297 total)
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native
    6%
  • Asian
    2%
  • Black or African American
    23%
  • Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
    0%
  • Hispanic
    8%
  • Two or more races
    7%
  • White
    56%
  • English Language Learner
    11%
  • From a Low Income Background
    39%
  • Special Education
    14%

Teachers at this school

Teachers, by population (30 total)
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native
    0%
  • Asian
    0%
  • Black or African American
    0%
  • Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
    0%
  • Hispanic
    3%
  • Two or more races
    0%
  • White
    97%

Average student to teacher ratio

10:1

Academics

74%

Academic performance rating

74%

Academic programming

Dowling Community School offers advanced learner support, outdoor learning opportunities, & advanced instruction.

Academic Programs Offered:

Environmentally Focused Specialist & Integration, Personalized learning, STEM/STEAM

Special education programming

Consistent with federal & Minnesota law, special education instruction & related services are provided to all children with disabilities age birth through 21 who need & meet the eligibility criteria for special education instruction & related services. Read MPS’s full Special Education Policy: https://bit.ly/3Mul9kr.

English language learner programming

MPS supports district programming & curriculum that promotes the accelerated academic achievement of English learners & recognizes the important role played by multilingualism in achieving academic success & future careers of MPS students. Read their full Bilingual Student Education Policy: https://bit.ly/42VAq2U.

Proficiency

% of students on grade level
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Math Reading 100% 0%

5 out of 10 students are performing math at grade level

2023 math proficiency - 51%

7 out of 10 students read at grade level

2023 reading proficiency - 65%

Progress

% of students on track
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Math Reading 100% 0%

4 out of 10 students are progressing to graduate on grade-level in math

2023 math progress - 42%

7 out of 10 students are progressing to graduate on grade-level in reading

2023 reading progress - 67%

Climate

38%

Climate performance rating

38%

School values

MPS values: 1) Equity, representation & anti-racism, 2) Physical & emotional safety & wellbeing; 3) Relationships, trust & communication; 4) Shared decision-making & voice; 5) Transparency & accountability; 6) Evidence-based strategies. Learn more at mpls.k12.mn.us/strategic-plan.

Discipline Policy

MPS recognizes that appropriate school behavior is critical to academic success & sustaining a rich & effective learning community. Their Discipline & Student Behavior Policy states that student instruction time lost due to removal from classes due to misbehavior must be minimized. MPS looks to parents & families to partner in the teaching & supporting of appropriate school behavior to maximize the academic success of their students. Read their full Discipline & Student Behavior Policy: https://bit.ly/42ZvEkZ.

Bullying Prevention Policy

The MPS Bullying & Hazing Prohibition Policy exists to maintain a safe & supportive learning environment for students & staff that is free from bullying or hazing. MPS strives to take action to investigate, respond to, remediate, & impose discipline for acts of bullying & hazing which have not been successfully prevented. Read their full Bullying & Hazing Prohibition Policy: https://bit.ly/3Ih2RQW.

Teacher retention

% of teachers who stayed at the school
85% 83% 74% 90% 63% 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 100% 0%

Attendance

% of students who regularly attend school (at least 90% of time)
88% 82% 74% 2019 2020 2021 2022 100% 0%

Discipline

Number of expulsions or suspensions per every hundred students
Per 100 Students 0 2018 2019 2020 2021 16 11 1 8

Equity

45%

Equity performance rating

45%

Equity vision

MPS’s vision is that all students–regardless of their background, zip code, & personal needs –will receive an anti-racist, holistic education that builds essential knowledge to prepare students for future success. To achieve their vision, they will intentionally focus on & prioritize resources & actions to significantly improve the experiences & outcomes of Black students, Indigenous students, students of color, & their families. They are in the process of implementing MPS Together, a framework in which all schools must write School Improvement Plans that address & incorporate equity. Learn more at mpls.k12.mn.us/strategic-plan.

Proficiency

% students on grade level, by student group
0% 100% City average 30% American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 34% Black or African American City average 23% English Language Learner City average 40% From a Low Income Background City average 36% Hispanic City average 68% Special Education City average 71% White City average 58% All students
0% 100% City average 30% American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 34% Black or African American City average 23% English Language Learner City average 40% From a Low Income Background City average 36% Hispanic City average 68% Special Education City average 71% White City average 58% All students

Progress

% of students progressing to graduate on grade level, by student group
0% 100% City average 54% All students City average 61% White City average 47% From a Low Income Background
0% 100% City average 54% All students City average 61% White City average 47% From a Low Income Background

Teacher retention

Teachers who stayed at the school last year by race/ethnicity
0% 100% City average 66% White City average 63% All teachers
0% 100% City average 66% White City average 63% All teachers

Teachers of color

3%

Students of color

46%

Attendance

% of students who regularly attend school (at least 90% of the time)
0% 100% City average 73% Black or African American City average 71% English Language Learner City average 63% From a Low Income Background City average 59% Special Education City average 82% White City average 74% All students
0% 100% City average 73% Black or African American City average 71% English Language Learner City average 63% From a Low Income Background City average 59% Special Education City average 82% White City average 74% All students

Discipline

Number of expulsions or suspensions for every hundred students
0% 100% City average 21 American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 2 Asian City average 21 Black or African American City average 4 Hispanic City average 12 Two or more races City average 2 White City average 8 All students
0% 100% City average 21 American Indian or Alaskan Native City average 2 Asian City average 21 Black or African American City average 4 Hispanic City average 12 Two or more races City average 2 White City average 8 All students