Gadsden City School District
School District · Gadsden, Alabama
Avg Rating
6.7
out of 10
Schools
12
8 elem, 3 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
4,872
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Avg Rating
6.7
out of 10
Schools
12
8 elem, 3 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
4,872
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
How this district compares
Alabama rank
#59 of 143
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Alabama avg
Per-pupil spending
$13,509
+$701 vs Alabama median
District size
4,872 students
Larger than Alabama median
The short answer
Gadsden City ranks #59 of 143 Alabama districts by overall school rating. Gadsden City's schools with real test data average 6.7/10 across 12 schools. Its top-rated schools are Donehoo Elementary School (9.1/10), Eura Brown Elementary School (8.4/10), and W E Striplin Elementary School (8.3/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 9.1/10 despite 85% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 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 City schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Gadsden City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (12 of 12). "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 | Adams Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Gadsden Middle School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Mitchell Elementary School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Gadsden City High School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Floyd Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
See all 12 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Gadsden City
Gadsden City is a Gadsden, Alabama school district serving 12 schools.The district educates 4,872 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. District-level spending was $13,509 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 6.7/10, Gadsden City demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Donehoo Elementary School, which has a composite score of 9.1/10.
In standardized testing, Gadsden City students show an average math proficiency of 39.1% and ELA proficiency of 50.4%.
The district includes 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in Gadsden City, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Gadsden City with test data.
Schools in Gadsden City
12 schoolsElementary Schools8
High Schools1
District Details
- State
- Alabama
- City
- Gadsden
- Total Enrollment
- 4,872
- Teachers (FTE)
- 298
- District spending per student
- $13,509NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 32.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Gadsden City?
Gadsden City has 12 schools in total — 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Gadsden City?
The average composite rating for Gadsden City is 6.7/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Gadsden City?
Gadsden City's district-level spending was $13,509 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gadsden City?
The average student-teacher ratio in Gadsden City is 16.3:1.
What is the top-rated school in Gadsden City?
Donehoo Elementary School is the highest-rated school in Gadsden City with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What are the test scores in Gadsden City?
Across schools in Gadsden City with test data, the average math proficiency is 39.1% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 50.4%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Gadsden City compare to other districts in Alabama?
Gadsden City has an average school rating of 6.7/10 across 12 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Alabama by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.7/10
- Math Proficiency
- 39.1%
- ELA Proficiency
- 50.4%
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 rateOther School Districts in AL
Compare Gadsden City with neighboring districts in the state.
- Mobile County (92)
- Jefferson County (57)
- Montgomery County (52)
- Birmingham City (49)
- Huntsville City (45)
- Baldwin County (44)
- Tuscaloosa County (36)
- Shelby County (33)
- Madison County (30)
- Cullman County (27)
- Etowah County (24)
- Tuscaloosa City (21)
- Calhoun County (20)
- Decatur City (20)
- St Clair County (20)
- Dothan City (18)
- Hoover City (18)
- Jackson County (18)
- Morgan County (18)
- Talladega County (18)
- Walker County (18)
- Blount County (17)
- Elmore County (17)
- Limestone County (17)
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.
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