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Excellent

#45 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 3% in state

Gulf Shores Elementary School

Elementary School · Gulf Shores City

1600 E 3rd St, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Enrollment

1,162

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#45 of 1,356

In Gulf Shores

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Gulf Shores City

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Gulf Shores Elementary School

9.3/10

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

Gulf Shores Middle School

7.6/10

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

Gulf Shores High School

7.5/10

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

About Gulf Shores Elementary School

Gulf Shores Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gulf Shores, AL, part of Gulf Shores City. Gulf Shores Elementary School serves approximately 1,162 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Gulf Shores Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #45 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Gulf Shores Elementary School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts above AL schools
  • This school 9.3 · Excellent
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Gulf Shores Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.1 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency93.6% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,300
Chronic Absenteeism9%

Gulf Shores Elementary School — Students at Gulf Shores Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 80.4% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
71%
2024
ELA
93.6%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Gulf Shores Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.3/10
97th percentile in AL
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.0%

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

1600 E 3rd St, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gulf Shores Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orange Beach Elementary School (rated 9.9/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Orange Beach), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Elberta Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Elberta), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST BENEDICT CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Elberta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gulf Shores, see our Gulf Shores schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Gulf Shores Middle School Gulf Shores 0.1 mi 7.6
Gulf Shores High School Gulf Shores 0.3 mi 7.5
SOUTH BALDWIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gulf Shores 3.9 mi 5.8
Orange Beach MiddleHigh School Orange Beach 4.0 mi
Swift Elementary School Bon Secour 4.3 mi 7.2
Foley High School Foley 7.8 mi 3.2
Florence B Mathis Elementary Foley 8.1 mi 7.4
SMALL STEPS LEARNING CENTER Foley 8.5 mi
Orange Beach Elementary School Orange Beach 7.6 mi 9.9
Foley Middle School Foley 9.6 mi 5.3
Foley Elementary School Foley 9.7 mi 7.0
BEREAN BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elberta 10.6 mi
ST BENEDICT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Elberta 10.9 mi 7.9
Magnolia School Foley 11.1 mi 7.0
Elberta High School Elberta 11.5 mi 5.3
Elberta Middle School Elberta 11.5 mi 8.5
Elberta Elementary School Elberta 11.5 mi 8.6
SNOOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Foley 13.1 mi 5.6
SNOOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Foley 13.1 mi 4.9
Summerdale School Summerdale 15.2 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36542 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,861

Median Home Value

$366,600

Median Rent

$1,365/mo

Population

17,335

College Educated

38.2%

Homeownership

68.9%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

50.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belforest Elementary School Daphne, AL 9.3
Edgewood Elementary School Homewood, AL 9.3
Mill Creek Elementary School Madison, AL 9.3
Paine Elementary School Trussville, AL 9.3
Deer Valley Elementary School Hoover, AL 9.4
Vestavia Hills Elementary East Vestavia, AL 9.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gulf Shores Elementary School

What grades does Gulf Shores Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Gulf Shores Elementary School?

Gulf Shores Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 1,162 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gulf Shores Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gulf Shores Elementary School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gulf Shores Elementary School rank in AL?

Gulf Shores Elementary School ranks #45 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Gulf Shores Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gulf Shores Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 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 Gulf Shores Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gulf Shores Elementary School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

Is Gulf Shores Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Gulf Shores Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

46.3% of students at Gulf Shores 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,162
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Baldwin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.0%

District

Gulf Shores City
District Enrollment
2,644
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,300
District Rank
#1 of 3

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