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
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Mccalla Elementary School — Students at Mccalla Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.4%
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: 7.5/10.
How Mccalla Elementary School Compares
See how Mccalla Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 18% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 45% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (205) 379-3750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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