Average
#668 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 49% in state
North Sand Mountain School
School · Jackson County
PO Box 129, Higdon, AL 35979
Enrollment
703
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
703
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#668 of 1,356
In district
#10 of 16
Jackson County
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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North Sand Mountain School
School in Higdon · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Floral Crest School
2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mountain View Christian Academy
3.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Sand Mountain School
North Sand Mountain School is a public school in Higdon, AL, part of Jackson County. North Sand Mountain School serves approximately 703 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio. North Sand Mountain School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #668 of 1,356 schools in AL.
Structured state assessment records for North Sand Mountain School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- AL avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
North Sand Mountain School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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North Sand Mountain School — Students at North Sand Mountain School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
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 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How North Sand Mountain School Compares
See how North Sand Mountain School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.0/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Ider), which scores notably higher. Another option is Richard Hardy Memorial School (rated 6.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby South Pittsburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Bryant), with a very similar 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 | 8.5 |
| Bryant School Bryant | 6.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Flat Rock School Flat Rock | 6.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Dade Middle School Trenton | 6.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Dade Elementary School Trenton | 6.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Dade County High School Trenton | 6.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport | 8.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Bridgeport Elementary School Bridgeport | 8.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Ider School Ider | 9.9 mi | 8.0 |
| North Jackson High School Stevenson | 10.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Richard Hardy Memorial School South Pittsburg | 11.6 mi | 6.9 |
| South Pittsburg High School South Pittsburg | 11.9 mi | 4.9 |
| South Pittsburg Elementary South Pittsburg | 12.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Stevenson Elementary School Stevenson | 11.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Rosalie Elementary School Pisgah | 13.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Stevenson Middle School Stevenson | 12.0 mi | 4.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MOBILE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mobile, AL | 6.5 |
| RANDOLPH SCHOOL Huntsville, AL | 6.6 |
| Belgreen High School Russellville, AL | 6.3 |
| PIKE LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL Troy, AL | 6.7 |
| TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL Montgomery, AL | 6.7 |
| TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY Tuscaloosa, AL | 6.7 |
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.6%
- Phone
- (256) 597-2368
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County- District Enrollment
- 5,181
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,969
- District Rank
- #10 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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