Best Schools in Cottondale, Alabama
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Cottondale?
Use this page to compare every school in Cottondale by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cottondale Elementary School
Elementary · Tuscaloosa County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Davisemerson Middle School
Middle · Tuscaloosa County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Tuscaloosa Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cottondale for 2026 are Cottondale Elementary School (6.9/10), Davisemerson Middle School (5.0/10), and Tuscaloosa Christian School (5.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$190,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$190,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Cottondale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cottondale Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Davisemerson Middle School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Tuscaloosa Christian School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Eastwood Middle School | 4.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Paul W Bryant High School | 3.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $70,162
- Median home value
- $190,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cottondale compares
Alabama rank
#168 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.5
below Alabama avg (6.4)
Median household income
$70k
118% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Cottondale, Alabama
Cottondale, Alabama is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.0 out of 10, schools in Cottondale show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Cottondale is Cottondale Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cottondale is served by 2 school districts: Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County. These districts collectively serve 30,435 students.
Cottondale's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,162. The poverty rate in the area is 13.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 447 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.9 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 360 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
| 2 | 722 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,072 students · 9th–12th | 3.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuscaloosa Christian School
Private
307 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.0 |
Schools in Cottondale
Cottondale, Alabama · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,162
Median Home Value
$190,300
Median Rent
$969/mo
Population
12,522
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Community Profile
Cottondale has a median household income of $70,162. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,300, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Alabama
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Cottondale, Alabama
How many schools are in Cottondale, Alabama?
Cottondale has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cottondale, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cottondale is 5.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Cottondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Cottondale on MySchoolScout is Cottondale Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cottondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cottondale on MySchoolScout is Cottondale Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Cottondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Cottondale on MySchoolScout is Davisemerson Middle School with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best high school in Cottondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Cottondale on MySchoolScout is Paul W Bryant High School with a composite score of 3.2/10.
How many school districts serve Cottondale, Alabama?
Cottondale is served by 2 school districts: Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County.
What is the education level in Cottondale, Alabama?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Cottondale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cottondale, Alabama?
The median household income in Cottondale is approximately $70,162 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cottondale, Alabama?
Yes, Cottondale has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Tuscaloosa Christian School with a score of 5.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cottondale, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cottondale is 17.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cottondale, Alabama?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Alabama Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.