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Average

#815 of 1,356 schools in AL

Mccalla Elementary School

Elementary School · Jefferson County

2020 McCalla School Road, Bessemer, AL 35022

Enrollment

765

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bessemer

#5 of 12

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#615 of 696

In district

#25 of 55

Jefferson County

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Mccalla Elementary School

McCalla Elementary School is a regular public school located in a rural area near the town of Bessemer, Alabama. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with an enrollment of 765 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1. With 37 full-time equivalent teachers, the school is committed to providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.

McCalla Elementary School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking of 882 out of 1360 schools in Alabama. Academically, the school has an overall score of 5.3 out of 10, with 45% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 18% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, the school focuses on developing foundational skills and supporting each student's unique learning needs.

The neighborhood around McCalla Elementary School is characterized by a median household income of $74,951 and a median home value of $227,400. Approximately 33% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is relatively low at 10.7%. The school is an integral part of the community, fostering a strong sense of belonging among its students and families.

McCalla Elementary School is nestled in a close-knit rural setting, making it a welcoming place for families looking for a supportive educational environment.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mccalla Elementary School is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Mccalla 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 Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Reading vs. State Avg-37.8 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,497

Mccalla Elementary School — Students at Mccalla Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

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 22.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.5%
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
42%
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: 7.5/10.

How Mccalla Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
40th percentile in AL
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

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. South Shades Crest Elementary School (rated 9.7/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brocks Gap Intermediate School (rated 8.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McAdory Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Mc Calla), which scores notably 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 4.5
McAdory High School Mccalla 2.1 mi 5.2
Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer 3.4 mi 5.1
Empower Community School Bessemer 4.0 mi 6.4
THE CROSSING CHURCH Mc Calla 3.7 mi
Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer 4.4 mi 4.4
Bessemer City High School Bessemer 4.6 mi 4.8
McAdory Elementary School Mc Calla 4.0 mi 8.0
Westhills Elementary School Bessemer 5.1 mi 5.1
DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer 5.2 mi
Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer 5.2 mi 7.0
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 8.8
South Shades Crest Elementary School Hoover 6.3 mi 9.7
Abrams Elementary School Bessemer 7.5 mi 7.4
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF RIVERWOODS Helena 6.5 mi
Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer 7.6 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mccalla Elementary School has a median household income of $79,084. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,300, with a median rent of $991/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Albertville Elementary School Albertville, AL 6.2
Garrett Elementary School Montgomery, AL 6.2
Kitty Stone Elementary School Jacksonville, AL 6.2
Providence Elementary Huntsville, AL 6.2
Vaughn Road Elementary School Montgomery, AL 6.2
Hampton Cove Elementary Hampton Cove, AL 6.3

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 is ranked #815 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Mccalla Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mccalla Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Mccalla Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mccalla Elementary School has 22.5% math proficiency and 61.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (8,900/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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