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Very Good

#556 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 41% in state

James L Cowart Elementary School

Elementary School · Athens City

1701 W Hobbs St, Athens, AL 35611

Enrollment

331

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#556 of 1,356

In Athens

#7 of 14

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Athens City

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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James L Cowart Elementary School

7.0/10

Elementary School in Athens · grades Kindergarten – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Athens Intermediate School

5.8/10

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

Athens Elementary School

8.4/10

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

About James L Cowart Elementary School

James L Cowart Elementary School is a public elementary school in Athens, AL, part of Athens City. James L Cowart Elementary School serves approximately 331 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. James L Cowart Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #556 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for James L Cowart Elementary School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.6
  • AL avg 7.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,561
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

James L Cowart Elementary School — Students at James L Cowart Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2024
ELA
84.5%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How James L Cowart Elementary School Compares

See how James L Cowart Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
59th percentile in AL
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

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

1701 W Hobbs St, Athens, AL 35611

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James L Cowart Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Decatur), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sugar Creek Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Lester), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Athens Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Athens Intermediate School Athens 0.8 mi 5.8
Athens Elementary School Athens 1.2 mi 8.4
Julian Newman Elementary School Athens 1.6 mi 8.3
Athens Renaissance School Athens 1.6 mi 6.0
Brookhill Elementary School Athens 2.3 mi 8.4
Athens Middle School Athens 2.5 mi 5.4
Athens High School Athens 2.5 mi 4.8
ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL Athens 2.7 mi 6.6
LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Athens 3.7 mi 5.2
Alabama Connections Academy Athens 4.6 mi 4.8
Tanner Elementary School Tanner 5.1 mi 7.1
Tanner High School Tanner 5.1 mi 3.1
Piney Chapel Elementary School Athens 4.9 mi 8.2
Elkmont Elementary School Elkmont 8.9 mi 8.2
Elkmont High School Elkmont 8.9 mi 4.7
Blue Springs Elementary School Athens 9.1 mi 7.5
East Limestone High School Athens 9.2 mi 5.4
Johnson Elementary School Athens 9.8 mi 7.7
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School Decatur 12.7 mi 9.3
Sugar Creek Elementary School Lester 11.9 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35611 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,606

Median Home Value

$201,700

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

29,077

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

61.1%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

40.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL 7.0
Eden Elementary School Pell City, AL 7.0
Selma Street Elementary School Dothan, AL 7.0
The Pathway Mobile, AL 7.0
Thompson Elementary School Gadsden, AL 7.0
WS Harlan Elementary School Lockhart, AL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James L Cowart Elementary School

What grades does James L Cowart Elementary School serve?

James L Cowart Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend James L Cowart Elementary School?

James L Cowart Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James L Cowart Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at James L Cowart Elementary School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James L Cowart Elementary School rank in AL?

James L Cowart Elementary School ranks #556 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is James L Cowart Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

James L Cowart Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 James L Cowart Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James L Cowart Elementary School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is James L Cowart Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is James L Cowart Elementary School a Title I school?

No, James L Cowart Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James L Cowart Elementary School?

68.9% of students at James L Cowart 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Limestone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

District

Athens City
District Enrollment
5,034
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,561
District Rank
#4 of 8

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