Average
#668 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 49% in state
North Sand Mountain School
School · Jackson County · Higdon, AL
A Jackson County school where students score 11 points above what's typical for similar communities.
PO Box 129, Higdon, AL 35979
- Math 37% proficient (2022)
- Reading 88% vs AL 87% (2024)
- 92.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at North Sand Mountain School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
2024 ACAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AL average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 55 points since 2020, reaching 88% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 51% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 63% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
55.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where North Sand Mountain School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 10Car-Dependent
- Bike 22Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average401/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$48,611
Median home value
$129,900
College educated
3.2%
Homeownership
96.9%
Poverty rate
18.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 35979; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 6.7private | PK–12 | 3.7 mi | 66 | Compare → |
| Pisgah High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.0 | PK–12 | Not available | 603 | Compare → |
| Section High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.3 | PK–12 | Not available | 546 | Compare → |
| Skyline High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.2 | PK–12 | Not available | 586 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Jackson County
- Schools in district
- 18
- Rank in district
- #10 of 16
- District spending per student
- $12,969NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
North Sand Mountain School is listed in Jackson County; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About North Sand Mountain School
North Sand Mountain School is a public school in Higdon, AL, part of Jackson County, serving approximately 703 students in grades Pre-K-12th with a 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #668 of 1,356 schools in AL. State assessment records show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 ranks #668 of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is North Sand Mountain School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Sand Mountain School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at North Sand Mountain School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Sand Mountain School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 703
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.6%
- Phone
- (256) 597-2368
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Area population (ZIP 35979)
- 885
- Area median age
- 42
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 ACAP · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 35979; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022, multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.