Very Good
#381 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 28% in state
Richard Arrington Elementary
Elementary School · Birmingham City
2101 Jefferson Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Birmingham
#15 of 58
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#336 of 696
In district
#7 of 42
Birmingham City
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Richard Arrington Elementary
Richard Arrington Elementary is a regular public school located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, serving students from Pre-K through 5th grade. The school’s enrollment is 321 students, and with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, there are 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment. Academically, Richard Arrington Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10, placing it in the 13th percentile among Alabama schools.
The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 12%, and in Math, only 2% of students are proficient or above. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth. The school is situated in a neighborhood where the median household income is $32,677, and the median home value is $89,100.
About 35.6% of the population lives below the poverty line, and 21% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. Despite these challenges, the community is committed to supporting the education of its youngest members. Richard Arrington Elementary is a part of the vibrant city of Birmingham, offering students a rich urban environment filled with cultural and educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Richard Arrington Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Richard Arrington Elementary — Students at Richard Arrington Elementary score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 10.0/10.
How Richard Arrington Elementary Compares
See how Richard Arrington Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2021) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2021) to 12% (2022).
Location
2101 Jefferson Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richard Arrington Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charles A Brown Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Princeton School (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hemphill Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$34,286
Median Home Value
$94,500
Median Rent
$1,044/mo
Population
25,267
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
40.3%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
33.8%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richard Arrington Elementary has a median household income of $34,286. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,500, with a median rent of $1,044/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cottondale Elementary School Cottondale, AL | 7.5 |
| Dozier Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 7.5 |
| Eva School Eva, AL | 7.5 |
| Gaston Elementary School Gadsden, AL | 7.5 |
| Howell Graves Preschool Muscle Shoals, AL | 7.5 |
| Myrtlewood Elementary School Fosters, AL | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richard Arrington Elementary
What grades does Richard Arrington Elementary serve?
Richard Arrington Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Richard Arrington Elementary?
Richard Arrington Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 321 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard Arrington Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Richard Arrington Elementary is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richard Arrington Elementary rank in AL?
Richard Arrington Elementary is ranked #381 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Richard Arrington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Richard Arrington Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Richard Arrington Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard Arrington Elementary has 2.5% math proficiency and 40.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richard Arrington Elementary a charter school?
No, Richard Arrington Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richard Arrington Elementary a Title I school?
No, Richard Arrington Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richard Arrington Elementary?
76.6% of students at Richard Arrington Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 25 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 24 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 32 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,331/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Birmingham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 321
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 231-1130
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Birmingham City- District Enrollment
- 20,884
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,201
- District Rank
- #7 of 42
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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