Best Schools in Gadsden, Alabama
18 schools · 11 Elementary · 3 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Gadsden?
Use this page to compare every school in Gadsden 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.
Donehoo Elementary School
Elementary · Gadsden City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Eura Brown Elementary School
Elementary · Gadsden City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
W E Striplin Elementary School
Elementary · Gadsden City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gadsden for 2026 are Donehoo Elementary School (9.1/10), Eura Brown Elementary School (8.4/10), and W E Striplin Elementary School (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 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
18
15 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$148,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
18
15 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$148,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 9.1/10 despite 85% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.8 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Gadsden schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Gadsden
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 15 rated schools; 18 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donehoo Elementary School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Eura Brown Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | W E Striplin Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Sansom Middle School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Litchfield Middle School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Gaston Elementary School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Adams Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Gadsden Middle School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Mitchell Elementary School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Gadsden City High School | 5.7 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $46,268
- Median home value
- $148,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
35% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gadsden compares
Alabama rank
#79 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Alabama avg (6.3)
Median household income
$46k
77% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
17
Gadsden City runs 80% of Gadsden's public schools
Gadsden touches 2 districts, but Gadsden City is the one most addresses actually attend.
Gadsden City accounts for 12 of 15 public schools (80%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 3.
Among 15 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 9.1 — the spread is inside Gadsden, not a citywide average.
- Gadsden City12 public · 80%
- Etowah County3 public · 20%
About Schools in Gadsden, Alabama
Gadsden, Alabama gives parents 15 ranked public schools to evaluate, with scores ranging from the low end up to a standout 9.4 at the top. The city's average school score of 6.8 out of 10 sits in solid mid-range territory, and nearly half the system — 7 of 15 schools, or 47% — score 7 or above. That distribution means parents have real options, but school choice within the city matters significantly.
Eura Brown Elementary School leads Gadsden's entire public system with a 9.4 out of 10, a score that would be competitive in any market. It stands well clear of the next tier: Walnut Park Elementary (8.1), Highland Elementary (7.9), Gaston Elementary (7.9), and Mitchell Elementary (7.8) form a cluster of strong performers that rounds out the top five. The elementary level is clearly where Gadsden concentrates its highest-performing schools — four of the top five are elementaries, which is a useful signal for families with younger children who have the flexibility to prioritize school assignment now before middle and high school transitions.
The spread between Eura Brown's 9.4 and the city average of 6.8 is notable. A 2.6-point gap between the top school and the mean tells parents that while the floor is respectable, the ceiling is genuinely high — and that attending the right school within Gadsden produces a meaningfully different academic environment than attending an average one. Families who can navigate enrollment options, including magnet programs or open enrollment transfers where available, should treat that gap as leverage worth pursuing.
For parents comparing Gadsden to surrounding communities, the 47% rate of schools scoring 7 or better is a concrete benchmark to hold against neighboring districts. If you're relocating to the Etowah County area, Gadsden's public system offers a workable range — strong at the top, with enough above-average schools that most families can find a reasonable fit. Start with Eura Brown if elementary placement is the priority; the data makes a clear case for it.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 233 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 350 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 3 | 407 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 4 | 284 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.4 |
| 5 | 415 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 |
| 6 | 281 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 |
| 7 | 226 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 8 | 350 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 9 | 249 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.2 |
| 10 | 223 students · Pre-K–6th | 3.9 |
Show all 11 elementary schools in Gadsden
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 338 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 247 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 467 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,309 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
| 2 | 362 students · 7th–12th | 5.1 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coosa Christian SchoolPrivate 276 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | 25 students · Pre-K–11th | Not Rated |
Schools in Gadsden
Gadsden, Alabama · 18 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$46,268
Median Home Value
$148,100
Median Rent
$787/mo
Population
49,937
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
22.7%
Community Profile
Gadsden has a median household income of $46,268. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,100, with a median rent of $787/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
School Districts (2)
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 Gadsden, Alabama
How many schools are in Gadsden, Alabama?
Gadsden has 18 schools, including 15 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gadsden, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gadsden is 6.4 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 Gadsden, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Gadsden on MySchoolScout is Donehoo Elementary School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gadsden, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gadsden on MySchoolScout is Donehoo Elementary School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Gadsden, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Gadsden on MySchoolScout is Sansom Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Gadsden, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Gadsden on MySchoolScout is Gadsden City High School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
How many school districts serve Gadsden, Alabama?
Gadsden is served by 2 school districts: Etowah County, Gadsden City.
What is the education level in Gadsden, Alabama?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Gadsden have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gadsden, Alabama?
The median household income in Gadsden is approximately $46,268 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gadsden, Alabama?
Yes, Gadsden has 3 private schools alongside 15 public schools. The top-rated private school is St James Catholic School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gadsden, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gadsden is 15.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gadsden, 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.