Very Good
#536 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 40% in state
Big Sandy Elementary
Elementary School · Tuscaloosa County
11950 Upper Hull Road, Moundville, AL 35474
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Moundville
#1 of 4
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#452 of 696
In district
#15 of 35
Tuscaloosa County
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Big Sandy Elementary
Big Sandy Elementary serves 496 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the close-knit community of Moundville, Alabama. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 and 30 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a solid educational foundation in Tuscaloosa County. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #227 out of 1,360 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Alabama elementary schools.
Students show particularly solid progress in reading and language arts, with 54% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows room for continued growth, with 43% of students meeting proficiency standards. Big Sandy Elementary draws families from a stable residential area where the median household income is $73,293 and median home values are $171,800.
The community maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.7%, with 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. These demographic factors contribute to a supportive learning environment for the school's diverse student body. The school enjoys a rural setting near the town of Moundville, offering students the benefits of small-town community values while maintaining access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the greater Tuscaloosa area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Big Sandy Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Big Sandy Elementary — Students at Big Sandy Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
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: 6.4/10.
How Big Sandy Elementary Compares
See how Big Sandy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 43% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 54% (2022).
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. Taylorville Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), which scores slightly higher. Another option is University Place Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Martin L King Jr Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 4.5 |
| Hale County High School Moundville | 4.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Englewood Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 4.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Moundville Elementary School Moundville | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Taylorville Primary School Tuscaloosa | 5.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Hillcrest High School Tuscaloosa | 6.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Hillcrest Middle School Tuscaloosa | 6.1 mi | 4.7 |
| BEAR CREEK ACADEMY Tuscaloosa | 7.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Myrtlewood Elementary School Fosters | 6.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Duncanville Middle School Duncanville | 6.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Maxwell Elementary School Duncanville | 7.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 8.6 mi | 7.5 |
| HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa | 9.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Southview Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 8.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Oakdale Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 9.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 9.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa | 10.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 10.1 mi | 7.2 |
| University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 10.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Central High School Tuscaloosa | 10.2 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Sandy Elementary has a median household income of $80,406. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,700, with a median rent of $861/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashland Elementary School Ashland, AL | 7.1 |
| Bagley Elementary School Dora, AL | 7.1 |
| Bear Exploration Center Montgomery, AL | 7.1 |
| Blountsville Elementary School Blountsville, AL | 7.1 |
| Choctaw County Elementary Butler, AL | 7.1 |
| Cotaco School Somerville, AL | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #536 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Big Sandy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Sandy Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Big Sandy Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Sandy Elementary has 45.7% math proficiency and 66.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (205) 342-2840
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa County- District Enrollment
- 19,228
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,564
- District Rank
- #15 of 35
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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