Average
#992 of 1,356 schools in AL
Ronald Mcnair 78
Middle School · Huntsville City
5000 Pulaski Pike, Huntsville, AL 35810
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntsville
#36 of 47
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#131 of 262
In district
#35 of 43
Huntsville City
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Ronald Mcnair 78
Ronald McNair 78 is a middle school located in Huntsville, Alabama, serving students in grades 7 and 8. With an enrollment of 411 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, the school aims to provide a supportive learning environment. Ronald McNair 78 is a regular public school with 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students.
The academic performance at Ronald McNair 78 is currently in the lower percentile, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1290 out of 1360 schools in Alabama. In terms of test scores, 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while only 5% are proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to student development and continuous improvement.
The school is situated in a mid-size city, within the 35810 ZIP code. The neighborhood has a median household income of $46,285 and a median home value of $113,500. About 21.3% of the population lives below the poverty line, and approximately 24% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Ronald McNair 78 is part of a community focused on supporting its students through various programs and community partnerships.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Ronald Mcnair 78 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Ronald Mcnair 78 is 20.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ronald Mcnair 78 — Students at Ronald Mcnair 78 score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Ronald Mcnair 78 Compares
See how Ronald Mcnair 78 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 8% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 24% (2022).
Location
5000 Pulaski Pike, Huntsville, AL 35810
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ronald Mcnair 78 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Academy for Academics and Arts Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy For Science Foreign Language Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35810 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,963
Median Home Value
$126,100
Median Rent
$1,097/mo
Population
32,705
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ronald Mcnair 78 has a median household income of $46,963. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,100, with a median rent of $1,097/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Acceleration Preparatory Academy Mobile, AL | 5.5 |
| Jasper Junior High School Jasper, AL | 5.5 |
| Anniston Middle School Anniston, AL | 5.4 |
| Ashford Middle School Ashford, AL | 5.6 |
| Baldwin Art And Academics Magnet Montgomery, AL | 5.6 |
| Challenger Middle School Huntsville, AL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ronald Mcnair 78
What grades does Ronald Mcnair 78 serve?
Ronald Mcnair 78 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Ronald Mcnair 78?
Ronald Mcnair 78 has an enrollment of approximately 411 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ronald Mcnair 78?
The student-teacher ratio at Ronald Mcnair 78 is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ronald Mcnair 78 rank in AL?
Ronald Mcnair 78 is ranked #992 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Ronald Mcnair 78's MySchoolScout rating?
Ronald Mcnair 78 has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Ronald Mcnair 78?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ronald Mcnair 78 has 4.5% math proficiency and 20.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ronald Mcnair 78 a charter school?
No, Ronald Mcnair 78 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ronald Mcnair 78 a Title I school?
No, Ronald Mcnair 78 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ronald Mcnair 78?
88.1% of students at Ronald Mcnair 78 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
- City Safety
- High (2,879/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 411
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (256) 428-7660
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #35 of 43
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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