Cottonwood Elementary School

Cottonwood Elementary School serves 508 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Cottonwood, Alabama. The school earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — placing it 42nd out of 1,356 public schools in Alabama. That puts Cottonwood Elementary ahead of 97% of Alabama schools, a standing that reflects sustained performance across academics, growth, and student outcomes.

Academic performance scores an 8.6 out of 10. Growth hits a perfect 10.0, meaning students here accelerate faster than their starting points would predict — a reliable sign of effective classroom instruction, not just strong incoming demographics. For additional context, Cottonwood Elementary ranks 41st out of 696 elementary schools in the state, a top-6% finish that holds whether you compare it against all public schools or filter to just the elementary level.

The school operates as a regular public school with a 16.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio across its 508-student enrollment. For families in Cottonwood weighing local options, this is the top-performing elementary in town and among the strongest in Alabama by any measure available.

Located in a rural area, Cottonwood 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.