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Average

#602 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 44% in state

Cottondale Elementary School

Elementary School · Tuscaloosa County

2301 Cottondale Ln, Cottondale, AL 35453

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#602 of 1,356

In Cottondale

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#14 of 35

Tuscaloosa County

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Cottondale Elementary School

6.9/10

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

Tuscaloosa Christian School

5.0/10

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

Davisemerson Middle School

5.0/10

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

About Cottondale Elementary School

Cottondale Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cottondale, AL, part of Tuscaloosa County. Cottondale Elementary School serves approximately 447 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottondale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #602 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Cottondale Elementary School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • AL avg 7.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.4% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,564
Chronic Absenteeism23.9%

Cottondale Elementary School — Students at Cottondale Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.9% (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
59%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2024
ELA
73.4%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Cottondale Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
56th percentile in AL
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

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

2301 Cottondale Ln, Cottondale, AL 35453

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottondale Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Verner Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Alberta School of Performing Arts (rated 8.2/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cottondale, see our Cottondale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
TUSCALOOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cottondale 0.6 mi 5.0
DavisEmerson Middle School Cottondale 0.6 mi 5.0
Eastwood Middle School Cottondale 1.8 mi 4.7
Paul W Bryant High School Cottondale 2.0 mi 3.2
Arcadia Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.0 mi 6.2
Woodland Forrest Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.6 mi 6.9
Holt High School Tuscaloosa 2.6 mi 3.2
Holt Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.2 mi 6.0
The Alberta School of Performing Arts Tuscaloosa 3.1 mi 8.2
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 3.1 mi 6.2
Southview Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.4 mi 6.4
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa 4.4 mi 9.5
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa 4.4 mi 8.4
Maxwell Elementary School Duncanville 5.0 mi 7.5
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 4.3 mi 8.5
Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa 4.5 mi 6.9
University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa 4.7 mi 7.5
Verner Elementary School Tuscaloosa 5.7 mi 8.9
Northridge High School Tuscaloosa 5.7 mi 6.4
Central High School Tuscaloosa 5.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35453 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,162

Median Home Value

$190,300

Median Rent

$969/mo

Population

12,522

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

84.4%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

38

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Douglas Elementary School Douglas, AL 6.9
Floyd Elementary School Gadsden, AL 6.9
HOLY SPIRIT REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Huntsville, AL 6.9
Oak Park Elementary School Decatur, AL 6.9
Odenville Elementary School Odenville, AL 6.9
Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottondale Elementary School

What grades does Cottondale Elementary School serve?

Cottondale Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cottondale Elementary School?

Cottondale Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cottondale Elementary School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cottondale Elementary School rank in AL?

Cottondale Elementary School ranks #602 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Cottondale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottondale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Cottondale Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottondale Elementary School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Cottondale Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cottondale Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

67.1% of students at Cottondale 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
21 Car-Dependent

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Tuscaloosa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

District

Tuscaloosa County
District Enrollment
19,228
Schools in District
36
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,564
District Rank
#14 of 35

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