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Very Good

#413 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 30% in state

Harlan Elementary School

Elementary School · Florence City

2233 McBurney Dr, Florence, AL 35630

Enrollment

389

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Florence

#6 of 13

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#364 of 696

In district

#3 of 8

Florence City

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Harlan Elementary School

Harlan Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Florence, Alabama, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 389 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, Harlan provides a supportive learning environment. The school is located in a small city setting, offering a community feel with easy access to local amenities and resources.

Harlan Elementary has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Alabama's public schools. In terms of academic performance, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 22% are proficient or above in Math.

These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth. The neighborhood around Harlan Elementary has a median household income of $41,174 and a median home value of $148,700. About 24% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 23.7%.

Despite these challenges, the school community works together to provide a nurturing and educational environment for its students. Harlan Elementary is situated in a vibrant and supportive community in Florence, Alabama.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Reading vs. State Avg-50.8 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,639

Harlan Elementary School — Students at Harlan Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
86.9%

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.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2024
ELA
86.2%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Harlan Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
70th percentile in AL
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

2233 McBurney Dr, Florence, AL 35630

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harlan Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WA Threadgill Primary School (rated 9.6/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Sheffield), which scores notably higher. Another option is McBride Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Muscle Shoals), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kilby Laboratory School (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Florence, see our Florence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Hibbett School Florence 1.0 mi 6.9
Forest Hills School Florence 1.2 mi 7.9
Florence High School Florence 1.1 mi 4.5
SHOALS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence 1.3 mi 7.8
Florence Freshman Center Florence 1.2 mi 3.8
Florence Middle School Florence 1.6 mi 5.9
Kilby Laboratory School Florence 1.8 mi 8.0
MARS HILL BIBLE SCHOOL Florence 1.6 mi 5.4
ST JOSEPH REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Florence 2.2 mi 7.0
Weeden Elementary School Florence 2.5 mi 7.1
Underwood Elementary School Florence 2.9 mi 7.6
L E Willson Elementary School Sheffield 4.0 mi 7.9
Sheffield Junior High School Sheffield 4.3 mi 4.8
Sheffield High School Sheffield 4.4 mi 5.4
WA Threadgill Primary School Sheffield 4.5 mi 9.6
McBride Elementary School Muscle Shoals 6.4 mi 8.3
Deshler Middle School Tuscumbia 6.5 mi 5.0
Wilson High School Florence 6.5 mi 5.4
Wilson Elementary School Florence 6.5 mi 7.9
Muscle Shoals Middle School Muscle Shoals 6.4 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,168

Median Home Value

$153,300

Median Rent

$783/mo

Population

33,697

College Educated

28%

Homeownership

43.7%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.6%

Median Age

35.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harlan Elementary School has a median household income of $44,168. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Arcadia Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL 7.4
Breitling Elementary School Grand Bay, AL 7.4
Hemphill Elementary School Birmingham, AL 7.4
Highland Gardens Elementary School Montgomery, AL 7.4
Johnson Elementary School Athens, AL 7.4
Julian Newman Elementary School Athens, AL 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harlan Elementary School

What grades does Harlan Elementary School serve?

Harlan Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Harlan Elementary School?

Harlan Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Harlan Elementary School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harlan Elementary School rank in AL?

Harlan Elementary School is ranked #413 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Harlan Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harlan Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Harlan Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harlan Elementary School has 28.7% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harlan Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Harlan Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

89.7% of students at Harlan 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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,651/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Florence). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lauderdale County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Florence City
District Enrollment
4,519
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,878
District Rank
#3 of 8

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 methodology

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