Average
#690 of 1,356 schools in AL
Cora Castlen Elementary
Elementary School · Mobile County
9960 School House Rd, Grand Bay, AL 36541
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Bay
#2 of 3
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#557 of 696
In district
#38 of 87
Mobile County
Academic performance
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cora Castlen Elementary
Cora Castlen Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Grand Bay, Alabama, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 424 students, the school benefits from a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1, ensuring that students receive personalized attention from the 22 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Cora Castlen Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks 397th out of 1360 schools in Alabama, placing it in the 71st percentile.
The school's academic score is 8.3 out of 10, with 59% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 41% proficient or above in Math. The school's performance in these areas shows room for growth, but the supportive community and dedicated teachers are working to improve educational outcomes. The neighborhood around Cora Castlen Elementary is characterized by a median household income of $77,577 and a median home value of $145,400, with a low poverty rate of 8.4% and a relatively small percentage of residents (12%) holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Cora Castlen Elementary is nestled in a close-knit rural community that values education and strives to provide a nurturing environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cora Castlen Elementary 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
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Cora Castlen Elementary — Students at Cora Castlen Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
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: 6.3/10.
How Cora Castlen Elementary Compares
See how Cora Castlen Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 59% (2022).
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 8.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Mobile), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOSS POINT KREOLE PRIMARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Moss Point), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Breitling Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 4.4 |
| Breitling Elementary School Grand Bay | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Anna F Booth Elementary School Irvington | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Alma Bryant High School Irvington | 4.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Saint Elmo Elementary School Irvington | 6.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Dixon Elementary School Irvington | 6.5 mi | 6.9 |
| BEACON OF HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Irvington | 7.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Pearl Haskew Elementary Irvington | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Peter F Alba Middle School Bayou La Batre | 8.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Dawes Intermediate School Mobile | 9.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Hutchens Elementary School Mobile | 10.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Meadowlake Elementary Mobile | 9.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Nan Gray Davis Elementary School Theodore | 10.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Theodore High School Theodore | 10.3 mi | 3.2 |
| MOSS POINT KREOLE PRIMARY SCHOOL Moss Point | 11.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Katherine H Hankins Middle School Theodore | 11.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Bernice J Causey Middle School Mobile | 12.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Mary W Burroughs Elementary School Theodore | 11.7 mi | 6.1 |
| WC Griggs Elementary School Mobile | 12.1 mi | 5.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cora Castlen Elementary has a median household income of $76,622. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,200, with a median rent of $919/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashville Elementary School Ashville, AL | 6.6 |
| Brewbaker Intermediate School Montgomery, AL | 6.6 |
| Carver Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 6.6 |
| Chestnut Grove Elementary School Decatur, AL | 6.6 |
| Elsanor School Robertsdale, AL | 6.6 |
| Farley Elementary School Huntsville, AL | 6.6 |
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 is ranked #690 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Cora Castlen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cora Castlen Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Cora Castlen Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cora Castlen Elementary has 47.0% math proficiency and 70.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (260/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (251) 865-6733
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mobile County- District Enrollment
- 50,929
- Schools in District
- 92
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,245
- District Rank
- #38 of 87
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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