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Average

#941 of 1,356 schools in AL

Cottonwood High School

High School · Houston County

663 Houston St, Cottonwood, AL 36320

Enrollment

396

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

5.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#941 of 1,356

In Cottonwood

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#10 of 13

Houston County

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Cottonwood High School

5.4/10

High School in Cottonwood · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cottonwood Elementary School

9.3/10

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

Bethel Christian Academy

7.2/10

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

About Cottonwood High School

Cottonwood High School is a public high school in Cottonwood, AL, part of Houston County. Cottonwood High School serves approximately 396 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #941 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood High School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • AL avg 5.1

What Parents Should Know

Cottonwood High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-17.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,971
Chronic Absenteeism22.5%

Cottonwood High School — Students at Cottonwood High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
32%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Cottonwood High School Compares

See how Cottonwood High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in AL
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Sports
9
4 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics9sports offered
4 boys'·5 girls'·18 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

663 Houston St, Cottonwood, AL 36320

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ashford High School (rated 5.4/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Ashford), with a very similar rating. Another option is Rehobeth High School (rated 5.1/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Dothan), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Dothan City Virtual School (rated 4.0/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Dothan), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cottonwood, see our Cottonwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Cottonwood Elementary School Cottonwood 0.0 mi 9.3
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dothan 8.9 mi 7.2
Ashford Elementary School Ashford 9.3 mi 7.9
Ashford High School Ashford 9.7 mi 5.4
Ashford Middle School Ashford 9.7 mi 5.1
Hidden Lake Primary School Dothan 9.9 mi 7.6
Beverlye Intermediate School Dothan 10.0 mi 5.0
Rehobeth Elementary School Dothan 9.8 mi 7.0
Rehobeth Middle School Rehobeth 9.9 mi 5.5
Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology Dothan 11.1 mi 8.8
NEW DAY ACADEMY Dothan 11.3 mi 5.6
Rehobeth High School Dothan 10.3 mi 5.1
MALONE SCHOOL Malone 10.8 mi 8.6
Dothan Preparatory Academy Dothan 11.9 mi 6.6
Dothan City Virtual School Dothan 11.9 mi 4.0
Selma Street Elementary School Dothan 12.5 mi 7.0
Faine Elementary School Dothan 12.9 mi 4.5
Carver 9th Grade Academy Dothan 13.1 mi 3.8
Houston County Virtual Academy Newton 13.1 mi 2.3
DOTHAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Dothan 13.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,366

Median Home Value

$130,700

Median Rent

$675/mo

Population

3,137

College Educated

13.4%

Homeownership

77.9%

Avg Commute

28.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

51.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ashford High School Ashford, AL 5.4
White Plains High School Anniston, AL 5.4
Colbert County High School Leighton, AL 5.5
Hatton High School Town Creek, AL 5.5
Central High School Rockford, AL 5.3
Dallas County High School Plantersville, AL 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottonwood High School

What grades does Cottonwood High School serve?

Cottonwood High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Cottonwood High School?

Cottonwood High School has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood High School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cottonwood High School rank in AL?

Cottonwood High School ranks #941 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Cottonwood High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Cottonwood High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottonwood High School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Cottonwood High School a charter school?

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

Is Cottonwood High School a Title I school?

No, Cottonwood High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood High School?

68.2% of students at Cottonwood High 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Houston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.5%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Houston County
District Enrollment
6,993
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,971
District Rank
#10 of 13

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