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Very Good

#470 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 35% in state

Cherokee Elementary School

Elementary School · Colbert County

1305 North Pike, Cherokee, AL 35616

Enrollment

221

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cherokee

#1 of 2

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#400 of 696

In district

#5 of 8

Colbert County

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Cherokee Elementary School

Cherokee Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Cherokee, Alabama. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, with an enrollment of 221 students. The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary is 14.7:1, ensuring that each student receives individualized attention.

The school has 15 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment. Cherokee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Alabama schools. In terms of academic performance, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math.

These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on improvement to better serve its students. The school is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $46,992 and a median home value of $92,300. The area's poverty rate is 27.7%, and about 12% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Despite the challenges, Cherokee Elementary School is committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for its students. Cherokee Elementary School is nestled in a close-knit rural community, fostering a strong sense of belonging and support among families and educators.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Cherokee 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.

Located in a rural area, Cherokee Elementary 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 Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Reading vs. State Avg-45.8 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-24.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,961

Cherokee Elementary School — Students at Cherokee Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.6%
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
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2024
ELA
90.9%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Cherokee Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
65th percentile in AL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

1305 North Pike, Cherokee, AL 35616

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WA Threadgill Primary School (rated 9.6/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Sheffield), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Bethel Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Tuscumbia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Colbert Heights Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Tuscumbia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cherokee, see our Cherokee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Cherokee High School Cherokee 0.3 mi 6.1
Waterloo High School Waterloo 11.8 mi 7.8
Central High School Florrence 13.0 mi 5.0
Central Elementary School Florrence 13.0 mi 7.6
New Bethel Elementary School Tuscumbia 13.6 mi 8.8
IUKA MIDDLE SCHOOL Iuka 13.4 mi 4.9
IUKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Iuka 14.4 mi 6.5
R E Thompson Intermediate School Tuscumbia 14.5 mi 8.0
Deshler High School Tuscumbia 15.0 mi 4.8
Deshler Middle School Tuscumbia 15.3 mi 5.0
WA Threadgill Primary School Sheffield 15.4 mi 9.6
L E Willson Elementary School Sheffield 15.5 mi 7.9
G W Trenholm Primary School Tuscumbia 15.6 mi 8.1
Hibbett School Florence 15.7 mi 6.9
Sheffield High School Sheffield 15.5 mi 5.4
Sheffield Junior High School Sheffield 15.6 mi 4.8
SHOALS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence 16.1 mi 7.8
Colbert Heights Elementary School Tuscumbia 16.4 mi 8.2
Colbert Heights High School Tuscumbia 16.5 mi 6.5
Kilby Laboratory School Florence 16.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35616 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,083

Median Home Value

$94,100

Median Rent

$820/mo

Population

3,681

College Educated

13.1%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

27.5%

Median Age

45.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cherokee Elementary School has a median household income of $47,083. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,100, with a median rent of $820/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL 7.2
Childersburg Elementary School Childersburg, AL 7.2
Clark Elementary School Selma, AL 7.2
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Huntsville, AL 7.2
Monte Sano Elementary School Huntsville, AL 7.2
EPIC Alternative Elementary School Birmingham, AL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Elementary School

What grades does Cherokee Elementary School serve?

Cherokee Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Cherokee Elementary School?

Cherokee Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 221 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Elementary School rank in AL?

Cherokee Elementary School is ranked #470 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Cherokee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee 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 Cherokee Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Elementary School has 18.8% math proficiency and 59.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cherokee Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cherokee Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

43.0% of students at Cherokee 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,971/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Colbert County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Colbert County
District Enrollment
2,645
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,018
District Rank
#5 of 8

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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