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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Reading vs. State Avg-28.8 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,186

Big Sandy Elementary — Students at Big Sandy Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

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 45.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
62%
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: 6.4/10.

How Big Sandy Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
61th percentile in AL
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (247/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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