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Average

#615 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 45% in state

Mccalla Elementary School

Elementary School · Jefferson County

2020 McCalla School Road, Bessemer, AL 35022

Enrollment

765

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#615 of 1,356

In Bessemer

#2 of 12

public schools

In district

#13 of 55

Jefferson County

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Mccalla Elementary School

6.8/10

Elementary School in Bessemer · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mcadory Middle School

3.7/10

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

Mcadory High School

4.3/10

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

About Mccalla Elementary School

Mccalla Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bessemer, AL, part of Jefferson County. Mccalla Elementary School serves approximately 765 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Mccalla Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #615 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Mccalla Elementary School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Mccalla Elementary School runs 20.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Mccalla Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency89.3% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,194
Chronic Absenteeism17.1%

Mccalla Elementary School — Students at Mccalla Elementary School score 54% 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

68.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3% (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
67%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
45%
2024
ELA
89.3%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Mccalla Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
55th percentile in AL
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.1%

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

2020 McCalla School Road, Bessemer, AL 35022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mccalla Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brocks Gap Intermediate School (rated 9.5/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Shades Crest Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McAdory Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Mc Calla), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
McAdory Middle School Mccalla 2.0 mi 3.7
McAdory High School Mccalla 2.1 mi 4.3
Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer 3.4 mi 5.6
Empower Community School Bessemer 4.0 mi 6.5
THE CROSSING CHURCH Mc Calla 3.7 mi
Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer 4.4 mi 3.3
Bessemer City High School Bessemer 4.6 mi 3.6
McAdory Elementary School Mc Calla 4.0 mi 7.3
Westhills Elementary School Bessemer 5.1 mi 5.6
DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer 5.2 mi
Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer 5.2 mi 4.2
THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena 4.7 mi 6.7
THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena 5.1 mi 6.7
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School Bessemer 6.5 mi
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer 6.8 mi 4.5
Brocks Gap Intermediate School Hoover 6.0 mi 9.5
South Shades Crest Elementary School Hoover 6.3 mi 8.8
Abrams Elementary School Bessemer 7.5 mi 6.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF RIVERWOODS Helena 6.5 mi
Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer 7.6 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,084

Median Home Value

$241,300

Median Rent

$991/mo

Population

23,989

College Educated

34%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

43.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blossomwood Elementary School Huntsville, AL 6.8
Elvin Hill Elementary School Columbiana, AL 6.8
Mary B Austin Elementary School Mobile, AL 6.8
Valley Junior High School Jasper, AL 6.8
West End Academy Birmingham, AL 6.8
Challenger Elementary School Huntsville, AL 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mccalla Elementary School

What grades does Mccalla Elementary School serve?

Mccalla Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mccalla Elementary School?

Mccalla Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 765 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mccalla Elementary School is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mccalla Elementary School rank in AL?

Mccalla Elementary School ranks #615 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Mccalla Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mccalla Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Mccalla Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mccalla Elementary School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Mccalla Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Mccalla Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

68.4% of students at Mccalla 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.1%

District

Jefferson County
District Enrollment
35,671
Schools in District
57
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,194
District Rank
#13 of 55

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