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Excellent

#336 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 25% in state

Cora Castlen Elementary

Elementary School · Mobile County

9960 School House Rd, Grand Bay, AL 36541

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#336 of 1,356

In Grand Bay

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#10 of 87

Mobile County

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Cora Castlen Elementary

8.0/10

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

Grand Bay Middle School

3.5/10

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

Breitling Elementary School

5.9/10

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

About Cora Castlen Elementary

Cora Castlen Elementary is a public elementary school in Grand Bay, AL, part of Mobile County. Cora Castlen Elementary serves approximately 424 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Cora Castlen Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #336 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Cora Castlen Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.1
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Cora Castlen Elementary 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 Progress9.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.6% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+18.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,245
Chronic Absenteeism26.7%

Cora Castlen Elementary — Students at Cora Castlen Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 58.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.5% (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
83%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
59%
2024
ELA
88.6%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Cora Castlen Elementary Compares

See how Cora Castlen Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
75th percentile in AL
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

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

9960 School House Rd, Grand Bay, AL 36541

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cora Castlen Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hutchens Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Mobile), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dawes Intermediate School (rated 8.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Mobile), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Anna F Booth Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Irvington), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grand Bay, see our Grand Bay schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Grand Bay Middle School Grand Bay 0.3 mi 3.5
Breitling Elementary School Grand Bay 2.3 mi 5.9
Anna F Booth Elementary School Irvington 4.3 mi 7.9
Alma Bryant High School Irvington 4.8 mi 3.3
Saint Elmo Elementary School Irvington 6.3 mi 5.6
Dixon Elementary School Irvington 6.5 mi 5.3
BEACON OF HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Irvington 7.4 mi 5.5
Pearl Haskew Elementary Irvington 7.8 mi 6.7
Peter F Alba Middle School Bayou La Batre 8.4 mi 3.6
Dawes Intermediate School Mobile 9.8 mi 8.0
Hutchens Elementary School Mobile 10.0 mi 9.1
Meadowlake Elementary Mobile 9.6 mi 4.4
Nan Gray Davis Elementary School Theodore 10.2 mi 5.5
Theodore High School Theodore 10.3 mi 2.6
MOSS POINT KREOLE PRIMARY SCHOOL Moss Point 11.1 mi 6.0
Katherine H Hankins Middle School Theodore 11.1 mi 3.5
Bernice J Causey Middle School Mobile 12.4 mi 4.5
Mary W Burroughs Elementary School Theodore 11.7 mi 5.3
WC Griggs Elementary School Mobile 12.1 mi 5.4
MONTESSORI WORLD SCHOOL Mobile 13.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36541 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,622

Median Home Value

$164,200

Median Rent

$919/mo

Population

16,353

College Educated

14%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

34.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

39.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AH Watwood Elementary School Childersburg, AL 8.0
Berry Elementary School Berry, AL 8.0
Cedar Hill Elementary School Ardmore, AL 8.0
Colbert Heights Elementary School Tuscumbia, AL 8.0
Dawes Intermediate School Mobile, AL 8.0
Eutaw Primary School Eutaw, AL 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cora Castlen Elementary

What grades does Cora Castlen Elementary serve?

Cora Castlen Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cora Castlen Elementary?

Cora Castlen Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cora Castlen Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cora Castlen Elementary is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cora Castlen Elementary rank in AL?

Cora Castlen Elementary ranks #336 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Cora Castlen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cora Castlen Elementary 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 Cora Castlen Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cora Castlen Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Cora Castlen Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cora Castlen Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cora Castlen Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cora Castlen Elementary?

64.4% of students at Cora Castlen Elementary 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mobile County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

District

Mobile County
District Enrollment
50,929
Schools in District
92
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,245
District Rank
#10 of 87

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