Very Good
#494 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 36% in state
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Tuscaloosa City
1510 Dinah Washington Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tuscaloosa
#11 of 23
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#418 of 696
In district
#9 of 19
Tuscaloosa City
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 301 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, the school benefits from a manageable class size, fostering a supportive learning environment. Central Elementary has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
Located in a mid-size city, the school is situated in the heart of Tuscaloosa, providing easy access for families. The academic performance at Central Elementary currently reflects a need for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1202 out of 1360 schools in Alabama. Test scores show that 12% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 8% in Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.
The school is part of a neighborhood with a median household income of $27,497 and a median home value of $132,400, where 36.9% of the population lives below the poverty line. Central Elementary School is surrounded by a community that values education, with 26% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher, striving to support their children's academic journey. Central Elementary School is nestled in a vibrant neighborhood in Tuscaloosa, offering a tight-knit community for students and families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Central 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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Data not available for this school
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Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
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: 9.1/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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 8.0/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Matthews Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FaucettVestavia Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $30,031. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,100, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Boaz Intermediate School Boaz, AL | 7.2 |
| Carlisle Elementary School Boaz, AL | 7.2 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee, AL | 7.2 |
| Childersburg Elementary School Childersburg, AL | 7.2 |
| Livingston Junior High School Livingston, AL | 7.2 |
| Monte Sano Elementary School Huntsville, AL | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #494 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 12.3% math proficiency and 42.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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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
- 301
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Phone
- (205) 759-3570
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa City- District Enrollment
- 11,207
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,227
- District Rank
- #9 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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