Average
#1073 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
5.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
5.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cottonwood
#2 of 2
public schools
Alabama high schools
#158 of 308
In district
#11 of 13
Houston County
About Cottonwood High School
Cottonwood High School is a regular public high school located in the rural area of Cottonwood, Alabama, within Houston County. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, making it a unique institution that combines middle and high school levels. With an enrollment of 396 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, Cottonwood High School provides a relatively personalized learning environment.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and its state ranking of 35th percentile indicate that there is room for academic growth. In terms of academic performance, 32% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 22% are proficient or above in Math. These scores suggest that the school is focusing on student development and improvement.
Cottonwood is a small, close-knit community with a median household income of $39,640 and a median home value of $115,300. About 12% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 22.7%. Despite these challenges, Cottonwood High School serves as a vital resource for the community, providing educational opportunities and support to its students.
Located in a rural setting, Cottonwood High School is deeply rooted in its community, offering a supportive and nurturing environment for students to grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cottonwood High 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.
Score Breakdown
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Cottonwood High School — Students at Cottonwood High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Cottonwood High School Compares
See how Cottonwood High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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. Rehobeth High School (rated 5.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Dothan), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ashford High School (rated 5.0/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Ashford), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dothan City Virtual School (rated 4.8/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Dothan), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dothan | 8.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Ashford Elementary School Ashford | 9.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Ashford High School Ashford | 9.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Ashford Middle School Ashford | 9.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Hidden Lake Primary School Dothan | 9.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Beverlye Intermediate School Dothan | 10.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Rehobeth Elementary School Dothan | 9.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Rehobeth Middle School Rehobeth | 9.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology Dothan | 11.1 mi | 6.7 |
| NEW DAY ACADEMY Dothan | 11.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Rehobeth High School Dothan | 10.3 mi | 5.5 |
| MALONE SCHOOL Malone | 10.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Dothan Preparatory Academy Dothan | 11.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Dothan City Virtual School Dothan | 11.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Selma Street Elementary School Dothan | 12.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Faine Elementary School Dothan | 12.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Carver 9th Grade Academy Dothan | 13.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Houston County Virtual Academy Newton | 13.1 mi | 4.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood High School has a median household income of $45,366. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $130,700, with a median rent of $675/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Dale County High School Midland City, AL | 5.2 |
| Etowah High School Attalla, AL | 5.2 |
| Holly Pond High School Holly Pond, AL | 5.2 |
| Oakman High School Oakman, AL | 5.2 |
| Vinemont High School Vinemont, AL | 5.2 |
| Beulah High School Valley, 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 is ranked #1073 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Cottonwood High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood High School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Cottonwood High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood High School has 28.3% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,459/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cottonwood). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (334) 691-2587
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Houston County- District Enrollment
- 6,993
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,971
- District Rank
- #11 of 13
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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