Average
#969 of 1,356 schools in AL
North Sand Mountain School
School · Jackson County
PO Box 129, Higdon, AL 35979
Enrollment
703
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
703
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#68 of 90
In district
#11 of 16
Jackson County
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About North Sand Mountain School
North Sand Mountain School is a PK through 12th grade public school located in the rural community of Higdon, Alabama. With an enrollment of 703 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1, the school benefits from a strong teacher presence. The school has 38 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
North Sand Mountain School ranks 6.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout, placing it at the 73rd percentile among Alabama schools. The school's academic score is 8.2 out of 10, reflecting strong performance in ELA/Reading (62% proficient or above) and areas for improvement in Math (37% proficient or above). The school is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that focuses on student development.
The school is situated in a rural area with a close-knit community. The median household income in the neighborhood is $30,547, and the median home value is $134,400. About 24.7% of the population lives below the poverty line, and only 4% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Despite these challenges, North Sand Mountain School remains a vital hub for education and community support in the area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Sand Mountain 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
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North Sand Mountain School — Students at North Sand Mountain School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
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: 8.1/10.
How North Sand Mountain School Compares
See how North Sand Mountain School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
PO Box 129, Higdon, AL 35979
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Sand Mountain School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Ider School (rated 7.7/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Ider), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Bryant), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richard Hardy Memorial School (rated 5.1/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby South Pittsburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Higdon, see our Higdon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FLORAL CREST SCHOOL Bryant | 2.8 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryant | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Davis Elementary School Trenton | 5.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Bryant School Bryant | 6.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Flat Rock School Flat Rock | 6.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Dade Middle School Trenton | 6.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Dade Elementary School Trenton | 6.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Dade County High School Trenton | 6.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport | 8.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Bridgeport Elementary School Bridgeport | 8.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Ider School Ider | 9.9 mi | 7.7 |
| North Jackson High School Stevenson | 10.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Richard Hardy Memorial School South Pittsburg | 11.6 mi | 5.1 |
| South Pittsburg High School South Pittsburg | 11.9 mi | 4.8 |
| South Pittsburg Elementary South Pittsburg | 12.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Stevenson Elementary School Stevenson | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Rosalie Elementary School Pisgah | 13.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Stevenson Middle School Stevenson | 12.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Marion Virtual High School Jasper | 15.7 mi | — |
| Marion Virtual Elementary School Jasper | 15.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35979 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,611
Median Home Value
$129,900
Population
885
College Educated
3.2%
Homeownership
96.9%
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
42
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Sand Mountain School has a median household income of $48,611. It is a community where 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $129,900. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville, AL | 5.7 |
| CORNERSTONE SCHOOLS OF ALABAMA Birmingham, AL | 5.4 |
| MARS HILL BIBLE SCHOOL Florence, AL | 5.4 |
| ALABAMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Montgomery, AL | 5.8 |
| Fayetteville High School Sylacauga, AL | 5.8 |
| LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY Auburn, AL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Sand Mountain School
What grades does North Sand Mountain School serve?
North Sand Mountain School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend North Sand Mountain School?
North Sand Mountain School has an enrollment of approximately 703 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Sand Mountain School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Sand Mountain School is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Sand Mountain School rank in AL?
North Sand Mountain School is ranked #969 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is North Sand Mountain School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Sand Mountain School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 North Sand Mountain School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Sand Mountain School has 35.3% math proficiency and 67.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Sand Mountain School a charter school?
No, North Sand Mountain School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Sand Mountain School a Title I school?
No, North Sand Mountain School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Sand Mountain School?
55.5% of students at North Sand Mountain 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
- County Safety
- Average (401/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 703
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (256) 597-2368
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County- District Enrollment
- 5,181
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,969
- District Rank
- #11 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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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