Average
#666 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 49% in state
Southside Middle School
Middle School · Tallassee City
901 E B Payne Sr Dr, Tallassee, AL 36078
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tallassee
#2 of 3
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#49 of 262
In district
#2 of 3
Tallassee City
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Southside Middle School
Southside Middle School is a regular public school in Tallassee, Alabama, situated in a rural area. The school serves students in grades 5 through 8, with an enrollment of 431 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, Southside Middle School aims to provide a supportive learning environment for its students.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it at the 66th percentile among Alabama schools. In terms of academic performance, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 30% are proficient or above in math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is committed to enhancing its educational programs and supporting student development.
The surrounding neighborhood of Tallassee, with a median household income of $61,574 and a median home value of $167,000, is a close-knit community. Approximately 16% of the area's residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is relatively low at 11%. Southside Middle School is deeply rooted in this rural setting, fostering a strong sense of community and support for its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southside Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southside Middle School — Students at Southside Middle School score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How Southside Middle School Compares
See how Southside Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 40% (2022).
Location
901 E B Payne Sr Dr, Tallassee, AL 36078
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Tuskegee Institute Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Tuskegee Institute), with a comparable rating. Another option is Eclectic Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Eclectic), a more accessible option. Additionally, Tuskegee Public Elementary (rated 5.0/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Tuskegee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tallassee, see our Tallassee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tallassee High School Tallassee | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Tallassee Elementary School Tallassee | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Reeltown High School Notasulga | 7.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Reeltown Elementary School Notasulga | 7.6 mi | 7.8 |
| DC Wolfe School Shorter | 8.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Eclectic Elementary School Eclectic | 10.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Eclectic Middle School Eclectic | 10.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Elmore County High School Eclectic | 10.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Tuskegee Institute Middle School Tuskegee Institute | 12.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Redland Elementary School Wetumpka | 11.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Booker T Washington High Tuskegee | 12.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Redland Middle School Wetumpka | 12.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Pike Road Elementary School Pike Road | 15.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Tuskegee Public Elementary Tuskegee | 14.1 mi | 5.0 |
| ADULLAM HOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wetumpka | 13.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Notasulga High School Notasulga | 13.7 mi | 7.6 |
| J. WALTER WOOD ACADEMY Montgomery | 14.9 mi | — |
| FOCUS POINT EDUCATION ACADEMY Montgomery | 15.5 mi | — |
| George Washington Carver Elementary School Tuskegee | 15.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Pike Road High School Pike Road | 17.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,700
Median Home Value
$175,200
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
13,460
College Educated
18.4%
Homeownership
72.3%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Middle School has a median household income of $67,700. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,200, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Calloway Smith Middle School Mobile, AL | 6.7 |
| Centre Middle School Centre, AL | 6.7 |
| Handley Middle School Roanoke, AL | 6.7 |
| South Girard School Phenix City, AL | 6.7 |
| Cullman Middle School Cullman, AL | 6.8 |
| Headland Middle School Headland, AL | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Middle School
What grades does Southside Middle School serve?
Southside Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Southside Middle School?
Southside Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Middle School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Middle School rank in AL?
Southside Middle School is ranked #666 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Southside Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Middle School has 30.7% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside Middle School a charter school?
No, Southside Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside Middle School a Title I school?
No, Southside Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Middle School?
71.0% of students at Southside Middle 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (7,444/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tallassee). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 431
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Elmore County
- Phone
- (334) 283-2151
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tallassee City- District Enrollment
- 1,510
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,365
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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