Very Good
#265 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 20% in state
Matthews Elementary School
Elementary School · Tuscaloosa County
1225 Rice Mine Road, Northport, AL 35476
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Northport
#5 of 14
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#245 of 696
In district
#6 of 35
Tuscaloosa County
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Matthews Elementary School
Matthews Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the mid-size suburb of Northport, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, with a total enrollment of 390 students. Matthews Elementary has a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from the 23 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10, placing it at the 32nd percentile among Alabama schools. In the latest state assessments, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 12% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that while the school is focusing on student development, there is room for improvement in academic performance.
The school is situated in a community with a median household income of $60,347 and a median home value of $178,200. About a quarter of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 23.2%. Matthews Elementary is an integral part of this vibrant and diverse community, providing a nurturing environment for young learners to grow and thrive.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Matthews Elementary School — Students at Matthews Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.7%
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: 9.6/10.
How Matthews Elementary School Compares
See how Matthews Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
1225 Rice Mine Road, Northport, AL 35476
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Matthews Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), with a very similar rating. Another option is FaucettVestavia Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, University Place Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Northport, see our Northport schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35476 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,545
Median Home Value
$196,800
Median Rent
$940/mo
Population
8,568
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
38.1%
Poverty Rate
24.4%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Matthews Elementary School has a median household income of $59,545. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BB Comer Memorial Elementary School Sylacauga, AL | 7.9 |
| Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham, AL | 7.9 |
| Falkville Elementary School Falkville, AL | 7.9 |
| Hatton Elementary School Leighton, AL | 7.9 |
| Henagar Junior High School Henagar, AL | 7.9 |
| L E Willson Elementary School Sheffield, AL | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Matthews Elementary School
What grades does Matthews Elementary School serve?
Matthews Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Matthews Elementary School?
Matthews Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 390 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Matthews Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Matthews Elementary School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Matthews Elementary School rank in AL?
Matthews Elementary School is ranked #265 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Matthews Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Matthews Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Matthews Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Matthews Elementary School has 12.3% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Matthews Elementary School a charter school?
No, Matthews Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Matthews Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Matthews Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Matthews Elementary School?
88.7% of students at Matthews 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 390
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Phone
- (205) 342-2654
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa County- District Enrollment
- 19,228
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,564
- District Rank
- #6 of 35
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
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