Skip to main content

Average

#679 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 50% in state

Southside High School

High School · Dallas County

7975 US Highway 80 E, Selma, AL 36701

Enrollment

278

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Selma

#6 of 13

public schools

Alabama high schools

#35 of 308

In district

#5 of 11

Dallas County

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Southside High School

Southside High School is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Selma, Alabama, in Dallas County. With a student body of 278 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. The school has 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals.

Southside High School's academic performance, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1160 out of 1360 schools in Alabama, indicates room for improvement. On the state's standardized tests, only 5% of students are proficient in both ELA/reading and math, showing areas where additional support and resources could make a significant impact. The school is situated in a neighborhood where the median household income is $41,528, and the median home value is $108,400.

About 20% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 20.8%. Southside High School is an integral part of this community, offering students a supportive environment as they navigate their high school years. Southside High School is nestled in a rural area, fostering a close-knit community where students and families are closely connected.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Southside High School 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.

Located in a rural area, Southside High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected-12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,350

Southside High School — Students at Southside High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
5%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Southside High School Compares

See how Southside High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
50th percentile in AL
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

7975 US Highway 80 E, Selma, AL 36701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southside High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southside Primary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The RBHudson STEAM Academy (rated 7.8/10, 9.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Autaugaville School (rated 7.6/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Autaugaville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Selma, see our Selma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Bruce K Craig Elementary School Selma 4.1 mi 6.0
Southside Primary School Selma 4.3 mi 9.2
Tipton Durant Middle School Selma 5.9 mi 4.0
Brantley Elementary School Selma 7.0 mi 6.8
Sophia P Kingston Elementary School Selma 7.6 mi 6.0
Clark Elementary School Selma 7.9 mi 7.2
Payne Elementary School Selma 8.4 mi 5.2
MCRAE LEARNING CENTER Selma 8.6 mi 5.7
Selma High School Selma 8.9 mi 6.6
Saints Virtual Academy Selma 9.0 mi 5.3
The RBHudson STEAM Academy Selma 9.0 mi 7.8
Edgewood Elementary School Selma 9.3 mi 6.1
MEADOWVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Selma 9.5 mi 6.4
ELLWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Selma 9.7 mi 4.8
Meadowview Elementary School Selma 9.6 mi 6.7
JOHN T MORGAN ACADEMY Selma 9.6 mi 4.8
Valley Grande Elementary School Valley Grande 12.2 mi 5.6
William R Martin Middle School Valley Grande 12.3 mi 4.0
JacksonSteele Elementary School Hayneville 12.5 mi 7.0
Autaugaville School Autaugaville 17.3 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,466

Median Home Value

$111,000

Median Rent

$823/mo

Population

22,358

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

61.3%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

25.6%

Median Age

36.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southside High School has a median household income of $40,466. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,000, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Dallas County High School Plantersville, AL 6.6
Goshen High School Goshen, AL 6.6
Pleasant Valley High School Jacksonville, AL 6.6
HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 6.5
Sumter Central High School York, AL 6.5
Central High School Hayneville, AL 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southside High School

What grades does Southside High School serve?

Southside High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southside High School?

Southside High School has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southside High School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southside High School rank in AL?

Southside High School is ranked #679 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Southside High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Southside High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside High School has 5.0% math proficiency and 5.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southside High School a charter school?

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

Is Southside High School a Title I school?

No, Southside High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside High School?

91.0% of students at Southside High 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
High (3,123/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dallas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dallas County
District Enrollment
2,331
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,801
District Rank
#5 of 11

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.