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#170 of 206 private schools in AL

Pickens Academy

School

225 RAY BASS RD, Carrollton, AL 35447

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

246

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#96 of 124

About Pickens Academy

Pickens Academy serves 246 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Carrollton, Alabama, offering a complete K-12 education in a close-knit environment. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention and stronger relationships between educators and students. As a regular public school, Pickens Academy focuses on providing educational opportunities for students across all grade levels under one roof, creating a unique dynamic where older students can serve as mentors and role models for younger learners.

This comprehensive approach allows families to keep all their children in the same school community throughout their educational journey. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10, reflecting strong aspects of the educational experience. While the school ranks #189 out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 9th percentile in Alabama, this provides an opportunity for continued growth and development in academic achievement.

Pickens Academy is situated in rural Pickens County, where students benefit from a peaceful, small-town atmosphere that emphasizes community connections and personalized learning experiences away from the distractions of urban environments.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Pickens 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.

Located in a rural area, Pickens Academy 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

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 2.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 14.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,440
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
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 246
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 98.0%
Two or More 1.2%
Black 0.4%
Hispanic 0.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

225 RAY BASS RD, Carrollton, AL 35447

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pickens Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE (rated 8.6/10, 25.1 miles away, in nearby Columbus), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gordo Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Gordo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westwood Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 23.4 miles away, in nearby Coker), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carrollton, see our Carrollton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Aliceville Elementary School Aliceville 9.0 mi 6.5
Reform Elementary School Reform 9.3 mi 6.6
Aliceville High School Aliceville 9.6 mi 4.6
Pickens County High School Reform 9.5 mi 6.1
Gordo Elementary School Gordo 11.7 mi 8.3
Gordo High School Gordo 11.7 mi 5.7
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 18.8 mi 5.5
NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 18.9 mi 5.7
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 19.0 mi 4.8
South Lamar School Millport 21.6 mi 6.6
Buhl Elementary School Buhl 19.5 mi 7.0
Sipsey Valley High School Buhl 21.0 mi 3.1
Sipsey Valley Middle School Buhl 21.1 mi 4.3
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 23.7 mi 5.2
SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 23.9 mi 6.9
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbus 24.0 mi 7.0
COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 24.3 mi 4.4
STOKES BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 24.9 mi 5.5
Westwood Elementary School Coker 23.4 mi 7.1
MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE Columbus 25.1 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35447 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,281

Median Home Value

$128,500

Median Rent

$580/mo

Population

3,194

College Educated

11.8%

Homeownership

80.6%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pickens Academy has a median household income of $43,281. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,500, with a median rent of $580/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
NORTH RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa, 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 Pickens Academy

What grades does Pickens Academy serve?

Pickens Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Pickens Academy?

Pickens Academy has an enrollment of approximately 246 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pickens Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Pickens Academy is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Pickens Academy rank in AL?

Pickens Academy is ranked #170 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Pickens Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickens 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 Pickens Academy a private school?

Yes, Pickens Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Pickens Academy a religious school?

No, Pickens Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (829/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
246
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
PICKENS
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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