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Needs Improvement

#1329 of 1,356 schools in AL

Paul W Bryant High School

High School · Tuscaloosa City

6315 Mary Harmon Bryant Dr, Cottondale, AL 35453

Enrollment

1,072

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

3.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cottondale

#4 of 4

public schools

Alabama high schools

#287 of 308

In district

#19 of 19

Tuscaloosa City

About Paul W Bryant High School

Paul W Bryant High School serves 1,072 students in grades 9-12 in Cottondale, Alabama, within Tuscaloosa County. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1, providing opportunities for meaningful student-teacher interactions. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for considerable growth in student achievement.

Currently, 11% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 5% show proficiency in mathematics. These results place the school at #1,343 out of 1,360 Alabama high schools, indicating substantial opportunities for academic improvement and student development. Located on Mary Harmon Bryant Drive, the school serves a community where the median household income is $69,949 and median home values average $164,400.

The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 12,130 residents, with 17% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.6%. As a regular public high school, Paul W Bryant High School continues working to better serve its student population and support their educational journey. The school operates within Tuscaloosa County's mid-size city environment, providing students access to both educational resources and community connections in this Alabama region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-40.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,947

Paul W Bryant High School — Students at Paul W Bryant High School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
18%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
11%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Paul W Bryant High School Compares

See how Paul W Bryant High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
2th percentile in AL
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

6315 Mary Harmon Bryant Dr, Cottondale, AL 35453

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul W Bryant High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Holt High School (rated 3.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hillcrest High School (rated 3.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cottondale, see our Cottondale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Eastwood Middle School Cottondale 0.2 mi 5.3
Woodland Forrest Elementary School Tuscaloosa 1.2 mi 7.7
Cottondale Elementary School Cottondale 2.0 mi 7.5
TUSCALOOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cottondale 2.5 mi 5.0
DavisEmerson Middle School Cottondale 2.6 mi 5.7
Southview Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.8 mi 6.6
Maxwell Elementary School Duncanville 3.2 mi 7.2
Arcadia Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.5 mi 7.4
Holt High School Tuscaloosa 4.5 mi 3.9
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 4.2 mi 6.2
Duncanville Middle School Duncanville 4.7 mi 5.1
The Alberta School of Performing Arts Tuscaloosa 4.5 mi 7.9
Holt Elementary School Tuscaloosa 5.1 mi 7.6
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 4.5 mi 8.5
Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa 4.6 mi 7.5
Hillcrest High School Tuscaloosa 5.3 mi 3.6
Hillcrest Middle School Tuscaloosa 5.3 mi 4.7
BEAR CREEK ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 5.3 mi 5.6
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa 5.7 mi 8.0
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa 5.7 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35453 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,162

Median Home Value

$190,300

Median Rent

$969/mo

Population

12,522

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

84.4%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paul W Bryant High School has a median household income of $70,162. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,300, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
ClayChalkville High School Pinson, AL 3.6
Fort Payne High School Fort Payne, AL 3.6
Hayden High School Hayden, AL 3.4
Hillcrest High School Tuscaloosa, AL 3.6
Jemison High School Huntsville, AL 3.4
Minor High School Adamsville, AL 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul W Bryant High School

What grades does Paul W Bryant High School serve?

Paul W Bryant High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Paul W Bryant High School?

Paul W Bryant High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,072 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul W Bryant High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paul W Bryant High School is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul W Bryant High School rank in AL?

Paul W Bryant High School is ranked #1329 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Paul W Bryant High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul W Bryant High School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Paul W Bryant High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paul W Bryant High School has 8.7% math proficiency and 13.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paul W Bryant High School a charter school?

No, Paul W Bryant High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paul W Bryant High School a Title I school?

No, Paul W Bryant High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul W Bryant High School?

48.4% of students at Paul W Bryant High 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (247/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,072
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Tuscaloosa County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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