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Average

#173 of 206 private schools in AL

North River Christian Academy

School

1785 MCFARLAND BLVD N, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 23 schools in Tuscaloosa. Learn more

Enrollment

207

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Tuscaloosa

#7 of 7

public schools

Alabama schools

#99 of 124

About North River Christian Academy

North River Christian Academy serves 207 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, offering a small school environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9 to 1. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that many families value in their educational choice. The academy holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10, though it ranks #172 out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 17th percentile among Alabama schools.

This suggests the school is focusing on student development and creating a supportive learning environment as it works to strengthen its academic outcomes. Located on McFarland Boulevard North, the school sits in an affluent area where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education. The surrounding 35406 zip code boasts impressive demographics, with 70% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $117,945.

The low poverty rate of just 5.8% and median home values of $438,500 reflect the economic stability of the community. North River Christian Academy operates in a mid-size suburban setting that combines small-town accessibility with the resources and opportunities of the greater Tuscaloosa area, providing students with a close-knit educational experience in a prosperous and education-minded community.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, North River Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How North River Christian Academy compares to 23 public schools serving similar grades in Tuscaloosa, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
This School
vs
16.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
207
This School
vs
581
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.2
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 97.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.4% vs 0%
North River Christian Academy Tuscaloosa Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
North River Christian Academy (this school) 5.2
Verner Elementary School 6.5
Northridge High School 5.6
Northridge Middle School 6.3
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle 6.0
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary 8.0
Central High School 6.5
Rock Quarry Elementary School 7.2
Central Elementary School 7.2
University Place Elementary School 7.7
Westlawn Middle School 5.8
The Alberta School of Performing Arts 7.9
Martin L King Jr Elementary School 7.6
Holt Elementary School 7.6
Holt High School 3.9
Arcadia Elementary School 7.4
Oakdale Elementary School 6.6
Skyland Elementary School 7.5
Southview Elementary School 6.6
Hillcrest Middle School 4.7
Woodland Forrest Elementary School 7.7

Showing 20 of 23 schools. View all schools in Tuscaloosa

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,270.9
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 5%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 207
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 97.6%
Hispanic 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1785 MCFARLAND BLVD N, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North River Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Lloyd Wood Education Center (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE CAPITOL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
RIVERWOOD CLASSICAL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 0.5 mi 6.7
TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 0.7 mi 6.8
Verner Elementary School Tuscaloosa 1.3 mi 6.5
Northridge High School Tuscaloosa 1.3 mi 5.6
FaucettVestavia Elementary School Northport 1.4 mi 7.8
Northridge Middle School Tuscaloosa 1.6 mi 6.3
Matthews Elementary School Northport 1.7 mi 7.9
CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport 1.7 mi 6.4
Echols Middle School Northport 1.8 mi 3.8
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa 2.0 mi 6.0
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa 2.1 mi 8.0
Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport 2.0 mi 7.7
Central High School Tuscaloosa 2.6 mi 6.5
THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 2.5 mi 6.9
Crestmont Elementary School Northport 2.4 mi 6.7
University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.0 mi 7.7
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.0 mi 7.2
Rock Quarry Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.9 mi 7.2
Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa 3.1 mi 5.8
The Alberta School of Performing Arts Tuscaloosa 3.3 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,736

Median Home Value

$467,000

Median Rent

$1,352/mo

Population

18,533

College Educated

67.6%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding North River Christian Academy has a median household income of $118,736. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $467,000, with a median rent of $1,352/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
LOWNDES ACADEMY Lowndesboro, AL 5.2
PICKENS ACADEMY Carrollton, AL 5.2
Saints Virtual Academy Selma, AL 5.3
CHAMBERS ACADEMY Lafayette, AL 5.1
Genesis Innovative School Evergreen, AL 5.1
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Millbrook, AL 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North River Christian Academy

What grades does North River Christian Academy serve?

North River Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend North River Christian Academy?

North River Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 207 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North River Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at North River Christian Academy is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does North River Christian Academy rank in AL?

North River Christian Academy is ranked #173 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is North River Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

North River Christian Academy has a composite rating of 5.2 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.

Is North River Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, North River Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is North River Christian Academy a religious school?

North River Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,289/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
207
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7.1 hours
Days Per Year
179 days
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
TUSCALOOSA
Data Year
2022–2023

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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