Best Schools in Selma, Alabama
17 schools · 9 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Selma?
Use this page to compare every school in Selma 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.
Meadowview Elementary School
Elementary · Selma City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Meadowview Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Payne Elementary School
Elementary · Selma City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Selma for 2026 are Meadowview Elementary School (7.2/10), Meadowview Christian School (6.4/10), and Payne Elementary School (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 16 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
17
13 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$92,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
17
13 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$92,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 6.1/10 despite 97% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.7 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 Selma schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Selma
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (16 of 17). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meadowview Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Meadowview Christian School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Payne Elementary School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Brantley Elementary School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Mcrae Learning Center | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | The Rbhudson Steam Academy | 5.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Southside High School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Bruce K Craig Elementary School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Edgewood Elementary School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 10 | John T Morgan Academy | 4.8 / 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
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $35,281
- Median home value
- $92,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
12% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Selma compares
Alabama rank
#161 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Alabama avg (6.4)
Median household income
$35k
59% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
17
About Schools in Selma, Alabama
Selma, Alabama is home to 17 schools, including 13 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, schools in Selma 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 Selma is Southside Primary School with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Selma is served by 2 school districts: Dallas County, Selma City. These districts collectively serve 4,954 students.
Selma's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $35,281. The poverty rate in the area is 26.5%.
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
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 143 students · Pre-K–2nd | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 344 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 | ||
| 3 | 174 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.1 | ||
| 4 | 201 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.8 | ||
| 5 | 162 students · 3rd–5th | 5.2 | ||
| 6 | 407 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.8 | ||
| 7 | 302 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.5 | ||
| 8 | 138 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.1 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Mcrae Learning CenterPrivate 30 students · Pre-K–2nd | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 299 students · 7th–8th | 5.6 |
| 2 | 182 students · 6th–8th | 3.3 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 278 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
| 2 | 687 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 |
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 272 students · 4th–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Meadowview Christian SchoolPrivate 163 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | John T Morgan AcademyPrivate 333 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Ellwood Christian AcademyPrivate 98 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Selma
Selma, Alabama · 17 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$35,281
Median Home Value
$92,700
Median Rent
$767/mo
Population
31,847
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
26.5%
Community Profile
Selma has a median household income of $35,281. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,700, with a median rent of $767/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 4
School Districts (2)
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 Selma, Alabama
How many schools are in Selma, Alabama?
Selma has 17 schools, including 13 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Selma, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Selma is 5.2 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 Selma, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Selma on MySchoolScout is Meadowview Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Selma, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Selma on MySchoolScout is Meadowview Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Selma, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Selma on MySchoolScout is The Rbhudson Steam Academy with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Selma, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Selma on MySchoolScout is Southside High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Selma, Alabama?
Selma is served by 2 school districts: Dallas County, Selma City.
What is the education level in Selma, Alabama?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Selma have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Selma, Alabama?
The median household income in Selma is approximately $35,281 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Selma, Alabama?
Yes, Selma has 4 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is Meadowview Christian School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Selma, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Selma is 16.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Selma, 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.