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Very Good

#582 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 43% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Tuscaloosa City

1510 Dinah Washington Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Enrollment

301

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#582 of 1,356

In Tuscaloosa

#10 of 23

public schools

In district

#9 of 19

Tuscaloosa City

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Central Elementary School

7.0/10

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

Westlawn Middle School

4.5/10

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

The Capitol School

6.8/10

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

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tuscaloosa, AL, part of Tuscaloosa City. Central Elementary School serves approximately 301 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #582 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.6
  • AL avg 7.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.6 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.5% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,227
Chronic Absenteeism19.9%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2010-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.2% (multi-year average, 2010-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2010
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
7.5%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2024
ELA
80.5%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
57th percentile in AL
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.9%

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

1510 Dinah Washington Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FaucettVestavia Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, University Place Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa 0.1 mi 4.5
THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 0.5 mi 6.8
Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa 0.7 mi 7.4
CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport 1.4 mi 4.3
Matthews Elementary School Northport 1.5 mi 5.1
Central High School Tuscaloosa 1.5 mi 5.8
Oakdale Elementary School Tuscaloosa 1.6 mi 6.6
Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport 2.3 mi 5.2
Echols Middle School Northport 2.4 mi 4.4
Crestmont Elementary School Northport 2.5 mi 7.3
University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.2 mi 7.5
NORTH RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 3.0 mi 5.1
FaucettVestavia Elementary School Northport 3.2 mi 9.2
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 3.2 mi 8.5
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa 3.1 mi 9.5
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa 3.2 mi 8.4
RIVERWOOD CLASSICAL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 3.5 mi 6.7
Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.3 mi 6.9
TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 3.7 mi 6.7
BEAR CREEK ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 3.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$30,031

Median Home Value

$141,100

Median Rent

$911/mo

Population

40,507

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

31.4%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

38.1%

Median Age

22.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eden Elementary School Pell City, AL 7.0
James L Cowart Elementary School Athens, AL 7.0
Selma Street Elementary School Dothan, AL 7.0
The Pathway Mobile, AL 7.0
Thompson Elementary School Gadsden, AL 7.0
WS Harlan Elementary School Lockhart, AL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 301 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in AL?

Central Elementary School ranks #582 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2024).

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?

84.1% of students at Central 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Tuscaloosa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.9%

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