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Average

#66 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 32% of private schools

Tuscaloosa Academy

School

420 RICE VALLEY RD N, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 23 schools in Tuscaloosa. Learn more

Enrollment

435

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Tuscaloosa

#3 of 7

public schools

Alabama schools

#29 of 124

About Tuscaloosa Academy

Tuscaloosa Academy serves 435 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, earning an impressive 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This regular public school ranks 32nd out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Alabama schools. With 46 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 9.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and smaller class sizes that many parents value.

This low ratio suggests students can develop strong relationships with their teachers and receive individualized support throughout their academic journey from early childhood through high school graduation. The school draws families from an educated and affluent community, where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $117,945. The neighborhood's median home value of $438,500 reflects the area's desirability, while the low 5.8% poverty rate indicates economic stability that often supports strong educational outcomes.

Located on Rice Valley Road North, Tuscaloosa Academy operates in a small city setting that combines educational excellence with the close-knit feel of a smaller community, offering students a supportive environment within the vibrant Tuscaloosa area.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Tuscaloosa Academy 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, Tuscaloosa Academy 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$16,049
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$17,652
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.10x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
86%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$7.0M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 435 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Tuscaloosa Academy compares to 23 public schools serving similar grades in Tuscaloosa, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
This School
vs
16.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
435
This School
vs
581
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 86.9% vs 0%
Black 5.7% vs 0%
Asian 5.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.3% vs 0%
Tuscaloosa Academy Tuscaloosa Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Tuscaloosa Academy (this school) 6.8
Northridge High School 5.6
Verner Elementary School 6.5
Northridge Middle School 6.3
Rock Quarry Elementary School 7.2
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle 6.0
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary 8.0
Central High School 6.5
The Alberta School of Performing Arts 7.9
University Place Elementary School 7.7
Holt Elementary School 7.6
Central Elementary School 7.2
Westlawn Middle School 5.8
Holt High School 3.9
Martin L King Jr Elementary School 7.6
Arcadia Elementary School 7.4
Oakdale Elementary School 6.6
Skyland Elementary School 7.5
Southview Elementary School 6.6
Woodland Forrest Elementary School 7.7
Hillcrest Middle School 4.7

Showing 20 of 23 schools. View all schools in Tuscaloosa

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)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,239
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 24%
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 435
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)

White 86.9%
Black 5.7%
Asian 5.1%
Hispanic 2.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

420 RICE VALLEY RD N, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tuscaloosa Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Lloyd Wood Education Center (rated 7.7/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores slightly higher. Another option is THE CAPITOL SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, RIVERWOOD CLASSICAL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
RIVERWOOD CLASSICAL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 0.2 mi 6.7
NORTH RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 0.7 mi 5.2
Northridge High School Tuscaloosa 0.8 mi 5.6
Verner Elementary School Tuscaloosa 0.8 mi 6.5
Northridge Middle School Tuscaloosa 0.9 mi 6.3
FaucettVestavia Elementary School Northport 1.7 mi 7.8
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa 2.2 mi 6.0
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa 2.3 mi 8.0
Rock Quarry Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.2 mi 7.2
Matthews Elementary School Northport 2.4 mi 7.9
CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport 2.5 mi 6.4
Echols Middle School Northport 2.4 mi 3.8
Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport 2.5 mi 7.7
Central High School Tuscaloosa 3.2 mi 6.5
Crestmont Elementary School Northport 3.0 mi 6.7
THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 3.2 mi 6.9
University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.5 mi 7.7
The Alberta School of Performing Arts Tuscaloosa 3.3 mi 7.9
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 3.7 mi 6.2
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.7 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,736

Median Home Value

$467,000

Median Rent

$1,352/mo

Population

18,533

College Educated

67.6%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tuscaloosa Academy has a median household income of $118,736. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $467,000, with a median rent of $1,352/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. 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
DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur, AL 6.8
McKenzie High School Mckenzie, AL 6.7
PIKE LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL Troy, AL 6.7
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL Montgomery, AL 6.7
Georgiana School Georgiana, AL 6.9
Section High School Section, AL 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tuscaloosa Academy

What grades does Tuscaloosa Academy serve?

Tuscaloosa Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Tuscaloosa Academy?

Tuscaloosa Academy has an enrollment of approximately 435 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tuscaloosa Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Tuscaloosa Academy is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Tuscaloosa Academy rank in AL?

Tuscaloosa Academy is ranked #66 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Tuscaloosa Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Tuscaloosa Academy has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Tuscaloosa Academy a private school?

Yes, Tuscaloosa Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Tuscaloosa Academy a religious school?

No, Tuscaloosa Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,289/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
435
Gender Split
47% M / 53% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Small City
County
TUSCALOOSA
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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