Very Good
#430 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 32% in state
Arcadia Elementary School
Elementary School · Tuscaloosa City
3740 Arcadia Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tuscaloosa
#9 of 23
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#377 of 696
In district
#7 of 19
Tuscaloosa City
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Arcadia Elementary School
Arcadia Elementary School is a regular public school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 420 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, ensuring a supportive learning environment. Arcadia Elementary has 26 full-time equivalent teachers who work to provide a strong educational foundation for its students.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and its state ranking of 40th percentile indicate there is room for academic growth. On standardized tests, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these numbers, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement.
Arcadia Elementary is situated in a mid-size city neighborhood, where the median household income is $44,676 and the median home value is $182,400. Approximately 26% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 26.8%. The school is deeply rooted in its community, providing essential support and resources to students and families in the area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Arcadia Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Arcadia Elementary School — Students at Arcadia Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.
How Arcadia Elementary School Compares
See how Arcadia Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
3740 Arcadia Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arcadia Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is The Alberta School of Performing Arts (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Woodland Forrest Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 3.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,521
Median Home Value
$175,700
Median Rent
$986/mo
Population
23,553
College Educated
26.7%
Homeownership
44.7%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
27.3%
Median Age
28.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arcadia Elementary School has a median household income of $45,521. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,700, with a median rent of $986/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Breitling Elementary School Grand Bay, AL | 7.4 |
| Harlan Elementary School Florence, AL | 7.4 |
| Hemphill Elementary School Birmingham, AL | 7.4 |
| Highland Gardens Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 7.4 |
| Johnson Elementary School Athens, AL | 7.4 |
| Julian Newman Elementary School Athens, AL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arcadia Elementary School
What grades does Arcadia Elementary School serve?
Arcadia Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Arcadia Elementary School?
Arcadia Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 420 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arcadia Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Arcadia Elementary School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arcadia Elementary School rank in AL?
Arcadia Elementary School is ranked #430 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Arcadia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Arcadia Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Arcadia Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arcadia Elementary School has 18.8% math proficiency and 51.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Arcadia Elementary School a charter school?
No, Arcadia Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Arcadia Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Arcadia Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arcadia Elementary School?
52.6% of students at Arcadia Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tuscaloosa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 420
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Phone
- (205) 759-3567
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa City- District Enrollment
- 11,207
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,227
- District Rank
- #7 of 19
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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