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Average

#756 of 1,356 schools in AL

Central School

Elementary School · Madison County

990 Ryland Pike, Huntsville, AL 35811

Enrollment

637

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Huntsville

#29 of 47

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#589 of 696

In district

#16 of 28

Madison County

Equity

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Central School

Central School serves 637 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Huntsville, Alabama, earning recognition as one of the stronger elementary schools in the state. With a ranking of #171 out of 1,360 Alabama schools, placing it in the 88th percentile, the school demonstrates solid academic performance under the guidance of 38 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a manageable 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Academically, Central School shows particular strength in reading and language arts, where 60% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 46% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school's overall MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to providing quality education in the Madison County district. The school draws families from the surrounding 35811 ZIP code area, where the median household income of $81,754 and median home value of $229,500 reflect a stable, middle-class community.

With 34% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 12.1%, the neighborhood provides a supportive environment for education. Central School sits in a rural setting near town, offering students a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to Huntsville's resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central School 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 Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,543

Central School — Students at Central School score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

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 51.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.7%
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
69%
ELA
64%
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: 5.8/10.

How Central School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
44th percentile in AL
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

990 Ryland Pike, Huntsville, AL 35811

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chapman Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mt Carmel Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 6.6
Mt Carmel Elementary School Huntsville 2.7 mi 7.9
Riverton Intermediate School Huntsville 2.9 mi 5.4
Riverton Elementary School Huntsville 4.3 mi 7.2
Madison County Virtual Academy Huntsville 4.1 mi 2.9
Monte Sano Elementary School Huntsville 4.7 mi 7.2
Madison County Elementary School Gurley 6.3 mi 7.1
BIG COVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Owens Cross Roads 7.0 mi 6.1
Buckhorn High School New Market 7.2 mi 5.8
Chapman Elementary School Huntsville 6.0 mi 8.2
Chapman Middle School Huntsville 6.0 mi 5.0
Hampton Cove Middle School Hampton Cove 7.2 mi 5.5
Hampton Cove Elementary Hampton Cove 7.3 mi 6.3
Buckhorn Middle School New Market 7.4 mi 4.1
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School Huntsville 6.6 mi 8.1
RANDOLPH SCHOOL Huntsville 7.2 mi 6.6
Blossomwood Elementary School Huntsville 7.0 mi 7.5
Jones Valley Elementary School Huntsville 7.4 mi 7.0
Lee High School Huntsville 7.0 mi 4.2
New Century Technology High School Huntsville 7.0 mi 7.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central School has a median household income of $92,361. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,900, with a median rent of $1,048/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Dawes Intermediate School Mobile, AL 6.4
EicholdMertz School of Math and Science Mobile, AL 6.4
Englewood Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL 6.4
Fairview Elementary School Cullman, AL 6.4
Leeds Primary School Leeds, AL 6.4
Olive J Dodge Elementary School Mobile, AL 6.4

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 is ranked #756 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Central School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central School has 51.0% math proficiency and 72.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,879/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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