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Excellent

#2 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 1% of private schools

St James Catholic School

Elementary School

511 EWING AVE, Gadsden, AL 35901

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 15 schools in Gadsden. Learn more

Enrollment

107

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Gadsden

#1 of 3

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#1 of 65

About St James Catholic School

ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL stands as the top-ranked elementary school in Alabama, earning an exceptional 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and holding the #1 position among the state's 206 elementary schools. This small but distinguished school serves 107 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade with an impressive student-teacher ratio of 8.5 to 1, supported by 13 full-time equivalent teachers. The intimate class sizes allow for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships, contributing to the school's outstanding academic reputation.

Despite being classified as a regular public school in the data, the school's Catholic identity and small enrollment create a close-knit learning environment where every student is known and supported. Located on Ewing Avenue in Gadsden, the school serves a diverse community in ZIP code 35901, where the median household income is $43,638 and home values average $167,200. The surrounding neighborhood has a college graduation rate of 24%, reflecting a community that values education despite economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 24.6%.

ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL operates in the small city setting of Gadsden in Etowah County, providing families with access to top-tier elementary education in a welcoming Alabama community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 107 students, St James Catholic School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, St James Catholic School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, St James Catholic School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St James Catholic School compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in Gadsden, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
This School
vs
16.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
107
This School
vs
317
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.6
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 44.9% vs 0%
Black 23.4% vs 0%
White 18.7% vs 0%
Asian 4.7% vs 0%
St James Catholic School Gadsden Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St James Catholic School (this school) 8.6
Thompson Elementary School 6.8
W E Striplin Elementary School 6.8
Gadsden Middle School 5.3
Donehoo Elementary School 5.9
Litchfield Middle School 6.4
Mitchell Elementary School 7.9
Adams Elementary School 7.8
Floyd Elementary School 7.8
Sansom Middle School 5.8
Walnut Park Elementary School 8.4
Highland Elementary School 8.2
Eura Brown Elementary School 9.1
Gaston Elementary School 7.5
Gaston High School 5.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.3 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,314
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 70%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 107
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Hispanic 44.9%
Black 23.4%
White 18.7%
Two or More 8.4%
Asian 4.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

511 EWING AVE, Gadsden, AL 35901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St James Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eura Brown Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Walnut Park Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Highland Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 4.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gadsden, see our Gadsden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Thompson Elementary School Gadsden 1.6 mi 6.8
Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden 1.8 mi 5.9
HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden 1.5 mi 6.4
W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden 1.6 mi 6.8
Gadsden Middle School Gadsden 1.8 mi 5.3
Adams Elementary School Gadsden 2.1 mi 7.8
Litchfield Middle School Gadsden 2.0 mi 6.4
Mitchell Elementary School Gadsden 2.0 mi 7.9
Floyd Elementary School Gadsden 2.6 mi 7.8
Sansom Middle School Gadsden 2.7 mi 5.8
Gadsden City High School Gadsden 3.4 mi 5.3
Highland Elementary School Gadsden 4.0 mi 8.2
Eura Brown Elementary School Gadsden 4.0 mi 9.1
COOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gadsden 4.1 mi 7.3
Walnut Park Elementary School Gadsden 3.9 mi 8.4
Gaston High School Gadsden 4.7 mi 5.7
Gaston Elementary School Gadsden 4.7 mi 7.5
Glencoe Middle School Glencoe 4.9 mi 5.3
Glencoe High School Glencoe 5.0 mi 5.0
FBC GLENCOE WEEKDAY Glencoe 5.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,826

Median Home Value

$174,200

Median Rent

$747/mo

Population

19,186

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding St James Catholic School has a median household income of $47,826. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,200, with a median rent of $747/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
JOSEPH S BRUNO MONTESSORI ACADEMY Birmingham, AL 8.6
ALABAMA WALDORF SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 8.3
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY Cullman, AL 8.3
ABC Elementary Alberta, AL 8.2
Chapman Elementary School Huntsville, AL 8.2
LITTLE FLOWER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mobile, AL 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St James Catholic School

What grades does St James Catholic School serve?

St James Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St James Catholic School?

St James Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 107 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St James Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St James Catholic School is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St James Catholic School rank in AL?

St James Catholic School is ranked #2 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is St James Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St James Catholic School has a composite rating of 8.6 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.

Is St James Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St James Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St James Catholic School a religious school?

St James Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,171/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
107
Gender Split
44% M / 56% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.3 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
ETOWAH
Data Year
2022–2023

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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