Very Good
#439 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 32% in state
Leighton Elementary School
Elementary School · Colbert County
8100 Old Highway 20, Leighton, AL 35646
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Leighton
#2 of 3
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#382 of 696
In district
#4 of 8
Colbert County
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Leighton Elementary School
Leighton Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural area near the town of Leighton, Alabama. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 375 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, Leighton Elementary offers a supportive learning environment where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and state ranking of 36th percentile indicate that there is room for academic growth. In reading and ELA, 32% of students are proficient or above, while only 8% are proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to fostering a nurturing educational environment that supports student development and overall well-being.
The neighborhood around Leighton Elementary is characterized by a median household income of $54,837 and a median home value of $109,900. The area has a relatively low poverty rate of 12.9% and a population of 4,038 residents, with only 8% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Leighton Elementary is deeply rooted in its community, providing a vital resource for families in the area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Leighton Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Leighton Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Leighton Elementary School — Students at Leighton Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Leighton Elementary School Compares
See how Leighton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
8100 Old Highway 20, Leighton, AL 35646
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Leighton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Webster Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Muscle Shoals), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland Park Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Muscle Shoals), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McBride Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Muscle Shoals), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Leighton, see our Leighton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Colbert County High School Leighton | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Hatton Elementary School Leighton | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Webster Elementary School Muscle Shoals | 6.9 mi | 9.6 |
| Hazlewood Elementary School Town Creek | 6.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Howell Graves Preschool Muscle Shoals | 7.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Muscle Shoals High School Muscle Shoals | 7.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Muscle Shoals Middle School Muscle Shoals | 7.9 mi | 6.7 |
| McBride Elementary School Muscle Shoals | 7.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Highland Park Elementary School Muscle Shoals | 8.4 mi | 9.5 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tuscumbia | 8.8 mi | 6.9 |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Killen | 11.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Brooks High School Killen | 11.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Brooks Elementary School Killen | 11.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Weeden Elementary School Florence | 10.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Hatton Elementary School Town Creek | 11.1 mi | 6.1 |
| G W Trenholm Primary School Tuscumbia | 9.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Hatton High School Town Creek | 11.2 mi | 4.1 |
| ST JOSEPH REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Florence | 10.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Deshler Middle School Tuscumbia | 10.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Colbert Heights High School Tuscumbia | 10.3 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35646 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,407
Median Home Value
$114,200
Median Rent
$475/mo
Population
4,005
College Educated
8.3%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
55.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Leighton Elementary School has a median household income of $58,407. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,200, with a median rent of $475/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Barkley Bridge Elementary School Hartselle, AL | 7.3 |
| Central Park Elementary School Birmingham, AL | 7.3 |
| Corley Elementary School Boaz, AL | 7.3 |
| EPIC Alternative Elementary School Birmingham, AL | 7.3 |
| Morningside Elementary School Mobile, AL | 7.3 |
| Mt Olive Primary School Ft. Mitchell, AL | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Leighton Elementary School
What grades does Leighton Elementary School serve?
Leighton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Leighton Elementary School?
Leighton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Leighton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Leighton Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Leighton Elementary School rank in AL?
Leighton Elementary School is ranked #439 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Leighton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Leighton Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Leighton Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Leighton Elementary School has 14.0% math proficiency and 51.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Leighton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Leighton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Leighton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Leighton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Leighton Elementary School?
48.0% of students at Leighton 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Colbert County
- Phone
- (256) 446-8351
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colbert County- District Enrollment
- 2,645
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,018
- District Rank
- #4 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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.