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Very Good

#377 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 28% in state

Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School

Elementary School · Alexander City

851 Laurel St, Alexander City, AL 35010

Enrollment

428

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

3rd – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Alexander City

#2 of 5

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#332 of 696

In district

#2 of 5

Alexander City

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School

Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School is a public elementary school in Alexander City, Alabama, serving students in grades 3 and 4. With an enrollment of 428 students and 21 full-time teachers, the school operates at a student-teacher ratio of 20.4 to 1, meaning classrooms are moderately sized for an elementary setting.

Academically, Stephens Elementary sits in the middle of the pack statewide, ranking 649th out of 1,330 Alabama schools and landing in the 51st percentile — a sign that performance is right around average for the state. Reading and ELA show more encouraging results, with 55% of students scoring proficient or above, while math proficiency sits at 29%, indicating meaningful room for growth in that area. Families focused on math development may want to ask the school about support resources and intervention programs available to students.

The school is located in the town of Alexander City within Tallapoosa County, a small community with a median household income of around $48,744 and a poverty rate of approximately 19%. The surrounding ZIP code of 35010 is home to nearly 20,000 residents, giving Stephens Elementary a genuine small-town feel where school and community life tend to be closely connected. For families living in or relocating to Alexander City, this school represents a neighborhood-rooted option for the critical third- and fourth-grade years.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School is 20.4:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Reading vs. State Avg-45 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,566

Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School — Students at Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.8%
School
State
91.0%

Based on 7 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
38%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
46%
2024
ELA
93.2%

* 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 Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School Compares

See how Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
72th percentile in AL
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

851 Laurel St, Alexander City, AL 35010

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Indian Valley Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Sylacauga), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jim Pearson Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dadeville Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Dadeville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alexander City, see our Alexander City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.1 mi
School Distance Rating
JACOB'S LADDER Alexander City 0.6 mi
Alexander City Middle School Alexander City 0.7 mi 4.8
Benjamin Russell High School Alexander City 1.2 mi 4.1
Jim Pearson Elementary School Alexander City 2.0 mi 8.8
William L Radney Elementary School Alexander City 2.3 mi 6.3
Horseshoe Bend High School New Site 9.3 mi 8.0
Dadeville High School Dadeville 14.2 mi 4.1
Dadeville Elementary School Dadeville 14.3 mi 8.7
Central High School Rockford 15.0 mi 6.3
Central Elementary School Rockford 15.1 mi 7.6
CLAY COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ashland 21.6 mi 6.4
LYMAN WARD MILITARY ACADEMY Camp Hill 19.8 mi 6.5
Eclectic Middle School Eclectic 22.6 mi 5.4
Elmore County High School Eclectic 22.7 mi 5.3
Ashland Elementary School Ashland 22.7 mi 7.1
Eclectic Elementary School Eclectic 23.1 mi 7.2
FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ashland 24.4 mi 6.9
KNOLLWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylacauga 22.2 mi 5.8
FIRST UNITED METHODIST KINDERGARTEN & DAYCARE Sylacauga 22.6 mi
Indian Valley Elementary School Sylacauga 23.1 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35010 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,744

Median Home Value

$129,500

Median Rent

$702/mo

Population

19,619

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School has a median household income of $48,744. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $129,500, with a median rent of $702/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Blossomwood Elementary School Huntsville, AL 7.5
Christian School Birmingham, AL 7.5
Cottondale Elementary School Cottondale, AL 7.5
Crestline Elementary School Hartselle, AL 7.5
De Armanville Elementary School De Armanville, AL 7.5
Dozier Elementary School Montgomery, AL 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School

What grades does Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School serve?

Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 4th.

How many students attend Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School?

Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 428 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School rank in AL?

Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School is ranked #377 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School has 29.0% math proficiency and 54.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nathaniel H Stephens Elementary School?

53.7% of students at Nathaniel H Stephens 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
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,647/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 4th
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Tallapoosa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Alexander City
District Enrollment
2,849
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,834
District Rank
#2 of 5

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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