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Excellent

#131 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 10% in state

Big Sandy Elementary

Elementary School · Tuscaloosa County

11950 Upper Hull Road, Moundville, AL 35474

Enrollment

496

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#131 of 1,356

In Moundville

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 35

Tuscaloosa County

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Big Sandy Elementary

8.9/10

Elementary School in Moundville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hale County Middle School

6.5/10

4.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hale County High School

5.0/10

4.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Big Sandy Elementary

Big Sandy Elementary is a public elementary school in Moundville, AL, part of Tuscaloosa County. Big Sandy Elementary serves approximately 496 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Sandy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #131 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Big Sandy Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Big Sandy Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change+0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.2% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,564
Chronic Absenteeism12.1%

Big Sandy Elementary — Students at Big Sandy Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.1% (multi-year average, 2013-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.2% (multi-year average, 2013-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 22 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2013
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
43%
ELA
54%
2024
ELA
82.2%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Big Sandy Elementary Compares

See how Big Sandy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.9/10
90th percentile in AL
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

11950 Upper Hull Road, Moundville, AL 35474

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Sandy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Myrtlewood Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Fosters), with a comparable rating. Another option is Taylorville Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), a more accessible option. Additionally, Maxwell Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Duncanville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Moundville, see our Moundville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Hale County Middle School Moundville 4.1 mi 6.5
Hale County High School Moundville 4.2 mi 5.0
Englewood Elementary School Tuscaloosa 4.4 mi 7.0
Moundville Elementary School Moundville 4.4 mi 6.0
Taylorville Primary School Tuscaloosa 5.6 mi 7.8
Hillcrest High School Tuscaloosa 6.0 mi 3.9
Hillcrest Middle School Tuscaloosa 6.1 mi 4.6
BEAR CREEK ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 7.2 mi 5.6
Myrtlewood Elementary School Fosters 6.5 mi 8.2
Duncanville Middle School Duncanville 6.8 mi 5.2
Maxwell Elementary School Duncanville 7.7 mi 7.5
Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa 8.6 mi 6.9
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 9.0 mi 8.5
Southview Elementary School Tuscaloosa 8.7 mi 6.4
Oakdale Elementary School Tuscaloosa 9.4 mi 6.6
Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa 9.5 mi 7.4
Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa 10.0 mi 4.5
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa 10.1 mi 7.0
University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa 10.1 mi 7.5
Central High School Tuscaloosa 10.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35474 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,406

Median Home Value

$187,700

Median Rent

$861/mo

Population

8,648

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

88.2%

Avg Commute

30.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

34.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brewton Elementary School Brewton, AL 8.9
Geneva County Elementary School Hartford, AL 8.9
Mulkey Elementary School Geneva, AL 8.9
Pleasant Valley Elementary School Jacksonville, AL 8.9
Verner Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL 8.9
Woodland Elementary School Woodland, AL 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Sandy Elementary

What grades does Big Sandy Elementary serve?

Big Sandy Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Big Sandy Elementary?

Big Sandy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy Elementary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Sandy Elementary rank in AL?

Big Sandy Elementary ranks #131 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Big Sandy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Sandy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Sandy Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Sandy Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).

Is Big Sandy Elementary a charter school?

No, Big Sandy Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Sandy Elementary a Title I school?

No, Big Sandy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Sandy Elementary?

55.8% of students at Big Sandy Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Tuscaloosa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

District

Tuscaloosa County
District Enrollment
19,228
Schools in District
36
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,564
District Rank
#4 of 35

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