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Below Average

#1217 of 1,356 schools in AL

Rainbow Middle School

Middle School · Etowah County

454 Lumbley Rd, Rainbow City, AL 35906

Enrollment

623

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rainbow City

#2 of 2

public schools

Alabama middle schools

#218 of 262

In district

#19 of 21

Etowah County

About Rainbow Middle School

Rainbow Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural outskirts of Rainbow City, Alabama, in Etowah County. The school serves 623 students in grades 6 through 8, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1. Rainbow Middle School has 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, ranking it 55th percentile among Alabama's 1360 schools. The academic score is 6.9 out of 10, with 61% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency in ELA/Reading, while 20% are proficient or above in Math. The school is focusing on student development and academic growth, especially in math, where there is room for improvement.

Rainbow Middle School is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $60,373 and a median home value of $188,500. The area has a low poverty rate of 8.7%, and 26% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is embedded in a tight-knit community that values education and supports its students' growth and well-being.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Rainbow Middle 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment3.1Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,738

Rainbow Middle School — Students at Rainbow Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.3%
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
52%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
61%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Rainbow Middle School Compares

See how Rainbow Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in AL
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

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

Location

454 Lumbley Rd, Rainbow City, AL 35906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rainbow Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sansom Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Gadsden), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gadsden Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Gadsden), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Etowah Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Attalla), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rainbow City, see our Rainbow City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
John S Jones Elementary School Rainbow City 0.2 mi 7.8
WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rainbow City 1.3 mi 5.3
Southside High School Southside 2.5 mi 4.5
Eura Brown Elementary School Gadsden 2.8 mi 9.1
COOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gadsden 3.2 mi 7.3
Southside Elementary School Southside 3.2 mi 6.8
Gadsden City High School Gadsden 3.6 mi 5.3
Walnut Park Elementary School Gadsden 4.4 mi 8.4
Etowah High School Attalla 4.4 mi 5.2
Etowah Middle School Attalla 4.4 mi 5.0
Gadsden Middle School Gadsden 5.0 mi 5.3
W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden 5.1 mi 6.8
Sansom Middle School Gadsden 5.4 mi 5.8
Attalla Elementary School Attalla 5.1 mi 5.6
HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden 5.4 mi 6.4
Floyd Elementary School Gadsden 5.7 mi 7.8
Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden 5.7 mi 5.9
Mitchell Elementary School Gadsden 6.8 mi 7.9
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gadsden 6.7 mi 8.6
Adams Elementary School Gadsden 6.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,896

Median Home Value

$199,500

Median Rent

$998/mo

Population

10,443

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rainbow Middle School has a median household income of $58,896. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $199,500, with a median rent of $998/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Douglas Middle School Douglas, AL 4.5
McAdory Middle School Mccalla, AL 4.5
South Dale Middle School Pinckard, AL 4.5
Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer, AL 4.4
Danville Middle School Danville, AL 4.4
Grand Bay Middle School Grand Bay, AL 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rainbow Middle School

What grades does Rainbow Middle School serve?

Rainbow Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Rainbow Middle School?

Rainbow Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 623 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rainbow Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rainbow Middle 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 Rainbow Middle School rank in AL?

Rainbow Middle School is ranked #1217 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Rainbow Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rainbow Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Rainbow Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rainbow Middle School has 29.7% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rainbow Middle School a charter school?

No, Rainbow Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rainbow Middle School a Title I school?

No, Rainbow Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rainbow Middle School?

47.7% of students at Rainbow Middle 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,013/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
623
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Etowah County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Etowah County
District Enrollment
8,714
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,215
District Rank
#19 of 21

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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