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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Reading vs. State Avg-50.8 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-28.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,961

Leighton Elementary School — Students at Leighton Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.3%
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
32%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2024
ELA
85.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
68th percentile in AL
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,294/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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