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Below Average

#1216 of 1,356 schools in AL

Southside High School

High School · Etowah County

2361 School Dr, Southside, AL 35907

Enrollment

818

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Southside

#2 of 2

public schools

Alabama high schools

#224 of 308

In district

#18 of 21

Etowah County

About Southside High School

Southside High School is a regular public high school located in the small suburban area of Southside, Alabama, in Etowah County. The school serves 9th through 12th graders with an enrollment of 818 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1, ensuring that each student receives individualized attention. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, Southside High School aims to support the diverse needs of its students.

Academically, Southside High School ranks 46th percentile among Alabama schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 5.9 out of 10. In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, 37% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 32% are proficient or above. These scores suggest that there is room for academic growth and improvement.

The school is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $70,919 and a median home value of $187,600. About 22% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is a low 6.4%. Southside High School is part of a close-knit community that values education and supports its students' growth and development.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,738

Southside High School — Students at Southside High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
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
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Southside High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in AL
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

2361 School Dr, Southside, AL 35907

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southside High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gadsden City High School (rated 5.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Gadsden), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Etowah High School (rated 5.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Attalla), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Southside, see our Southside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Southside Elementary School Southside 0.8 mi 6.8
John S Jones Elementary School Rainbow City 2.3 mi 7.8
Rainbow Middle School Rainbow City 2.5 mi 4.5
Eura Brown Elementary School Gadsden 3.7 mi 9.1
WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rainbow City 3.6 mi 5.3
COOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gadsden 5.0 mi 7.3
Gadsden City High School Gadsden 5.2 mi 5.3
Gadsden Middle School Gadsden 6.1 mi 5.3
W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden 6.2 mi 6.8
Walnut Park Elementary School Gadsden 6.4 mi 8.4
Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden 6.1 mi 5.9
HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden 6.6 mi 6.4
Sansom Middle School Gadsden 7.1 mi 5.8
Adams Elementary School Gadsden 6.7 mi 7.8
FBC GLENCOE WEEKDAY Glencoe 6.2 mi
Litchfield Middle School Gadsden 6.9 mi 6.4
Floyd Elementary School Gadsden 7.4 mi 7.8
Etowah High School Attalla 6.8 mi 5.2
Glencoe Elementary School Glencoe 6.4 mi 8.4
Etowah Middle School Attalla 6.9 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35907 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,790

Median Home Value

$203,500

Median Rent

$1,131/mo

Population

9,299

College Educated

23.1%

Homeownership

91.6%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.6%

Median Age

41.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southside High School has a median household income of $73,790. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,500, with a median rent of $1,131/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% 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
Central High School of Clay County Lineville, AL 4.5
Columbia High School Huntsville, AL 4.5
Eufaula High School Eufaula, AL 4.5
Florence High School Florence, AL 4.5
Leeds High School Leeds, AL 4.5
Ardmore High School Ardmore, AL 4.4

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 818 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Southside High School is 19:1. 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 #1216 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Southside High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside High 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 Southside High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside High School has 33.7% math proficiency and 40.3% 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?

41.6% 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
Average (436/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
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
#18 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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