Skip to main content

Excellent

#335 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 25% in state

Central School

Elementary School · Madison County

990 Ryland Pike, Huntsville, AL 35811

Enrollment

637

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#335 of 1,356

In Huntsville

#11 of 47

public schools

In district

#7 of 28

Madison County

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Central School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Central School

8.0/10

Elementary School in Huntsville · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Madison County High School

6.5/10

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

Mt Carmel Elementary School

9.1/10

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

About Central School

Central School is a public elementary school in Huntsville, AL, part of Madison County. Central School serves approximately 637 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #335 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Central School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.0
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Central School 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 Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.3% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,905
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

Central School — Students at Central School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
96%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
97%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
60%
2024
ELA
88.3%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Central School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
75th percentile in AL
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

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

990 Ryland Pike, Huntsville, AL 35811

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monte Sano Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mt Carmel Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverton Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Madison County High School Gurley 2.3 mi 6.5
Mt Carmel Elementary School Huntsville 2.7 mi 9.1
Riverton Intermediate School Huntsville 2.9 mi 6.1
Riverton Elementary School Huntsville 4.3 mi 8.7
Madison County Virtual Academy Huntsville 4.1 mi 5.0
Monte Sano Elementary School Huntsville 4.7 mi 9.2
Madison County Elementary School Gurley 6.3 mi 7.8
BIG COVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Owens Cross Roads 7.0 mi 6.1
Buckhorn High School New Market 7.2 mi 5.1
Chapman Elementary School Huntsville 6.0 mi 6.3
Chapman Middle School Huntsville 6.0 mi 4.5
Hampton Cove Middle School Hampton Cove 7.2 mi 6.8
Hampton Cove Elementary Hampton Cove 7.3 mi 8.7
Buckhorn Middle School New Market 7.4 mi 5.3
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School Huntsville 6.6 mi 6.0
RANDOLPH SCHOOL Huntsville 7.2 mi 6.6
Blossomwood Elementary School Huntsville 7.0 mi 6.8
Jones Valley Elementary School Huntsville 7.4 mi 7.6
Lee High School Huntsville 7.0 mi 3.6
New Century Technology High School Huntsville 7.0 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35811 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,361

Median Home Value

$249,900

Median Rent

$1,048/mo

Population

29,748

College Educated

35.4%

Homeownership

78.3%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

37.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cedar Hill Elementary School Ardmore, AL 8.0
Colbert Heights Elementary School Tuscumbia, AL 8.0
Cora Castlen Elementary Grand Bay, AL 8.0
Creekside Primary School Harvest, AL 8.0
Dawes Intermediate School Mobile, AL 8.0
Glencoe Elementary School Glencoe, AL 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central School

What grades does Central School serve?

Central School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Central School?

Central School has an enrollment of approximately 637 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central School rank in AL?

Central School ranks #335 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Central School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Central School a charter school?

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

Is Central School a Title I school?

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

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

40.2% of students at Central 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
637
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Madison County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

District

Madison County
District Enrollment
20,639
Schools in District
30
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,905
District Rank
#7 of 28

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.