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Excellent

#216 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 16% in state

Richard Arrington Elementary

Elementary School · Birmingham City

2101 Jefferson Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211

Enrollment

321

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#216 of 1,356

In Birmingham

#7 of 58

public schools

In district

#2 of 42

Birmingham City

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Richard Arrington Elementary

8.4/10

Elementary School in Birmingham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New Hope Christian Elementary School

6.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

West End Academy

6.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Richard Arrington Elementary

Richard Arrington Elementary is a public elementary school in Birmingham, AL, part of Birmingham City. Richard Arrington Elementary serves approximately 321 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Richard Arrington Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #216 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Richard Arrington Elementary show 3% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.6
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Richard Arrington Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+9.05 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.3% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,201
Chronic Absenteeism35.8%

Richard Arrington Elementary — Students at Richard Arrington Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 2.5% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.9% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2024
ELA
71.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.4/10
84th percentile in AL
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
10.0/10
Excellent
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.8%

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 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is West End Academy (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Birmingham 0.6 mi 6.7
West End Academy Birmingham 0.7 mi 6.8
Jones Valley Middle School Birmingham 1.0 mi 3.5
Central Park Elementary School Birmingham 1.1 mi 6.2
Wenonah High School Birmingham 1.6 mi 2.8
MIRACLE ACADEMY PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Birmingham 1.7 mi
Hemphill Elementary School Birmingham 1.7 mi 5.6
Green Acres Middle School Birmingham 1.5 mi 4.1
Princeton School Birmingham 2.1 mi 6.7
Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham 1.8 mi 7.1
Minor Elementary School Birmingham 2.2 mi 5.7
EPHESUS ACADEMY Birmingham 2.1 mi 4.1
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Birmingham 2.6 mi 6.3
BUILD UP COMMUNITY SCHOOL Birmingham 2.3 mi 6.2
C J Donald Middle School Fairfield 2.3 mi 2.4
SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL Birmingham 2.8 mi 8.0
Magic City Acceptance Academy Birmingham 2.4 mi 4.6
Fairfield High Preparatory School Fairfield 2.5 mi 3.1
Bush Hills STEAM Academy Birmingham 2.9 mi 4.8
HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham 2.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Academy For Science Foreign Language Huntsville, AL 8.4
Athens Elementary School Athens, AL 8.4
Brookhill Elementary School Athens, AL 8.4
Chatom Elementary School Chatom, AL 8.4
Corley Elementary School Boaz, AL 8.4
Farley Elementary School Huntsville, AL 8.4

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 ranks #216 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Richard Arrington Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Richard Arrington Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Richard Arrington Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Richard Arrington Elementary has 3% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.8%

District

Birmingham City
District Enrollment
20,884
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,201
District Rank
#2 of 42

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