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Very Good

#357 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 26% in state

Underwood Elementary School

Elementary School · Lauderdale County

4725 Highway 157, Florence, AL 35633

Enrollment

352

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Florence

#5 of 13

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#318 of 696

In district

#5 of 14

Lauderdale County

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Underwood Elementary School

Underwood Elementary School is a regular public school in Florence, Alabama, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 352 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, ensuring a supportive learning environment. Located in a small suburban area, Underwood Elementary benefits from a community with a median household income of $65,385 and a median home value of $163,200.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 reflects its solid academic performance, particularly in reading and ELA, where 57% of students are proficient or above. Math proficiency is at 37%, indicating areas for growth. Underwood Elementary is part of Lauderdale County and is ranked 350 out of 1360 schools in Alabama, placing it in the 74th percentile.

The school focuses on developing a strong foundation for its students in a nurturing and supportive setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,894

Underwood Elementary School — Students at Underwood Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.9%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2024
ELA
94.2%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Underwood Elementary School Compares

See how Underwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
74th percentile in AL
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

4725 Highway 157, Florence, AL 35633

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Underwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WA Threadgill Primary School (rated 9.6/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Sheffield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kilby Laboratory School (rated 8.0/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Forest Hills School (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Florence, see our Florence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.3 mi
School Distance Rating
SHOALS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence 1.7 mi 7.8
Forest Hills School Florence 2.0 mi 7.9
Harlan Elementary School Florence 2.9 mi 7.4
MARS HILL BIBLE SCHOOL Florence 2.8 mi 5.4
Florence High School Florence 3.2 mi 4.5
Florence Freshman Center Florence 3.2 mi 3.8
Hibbett School Florence 3.6 mi 6.9
Wilson High School Florence 4.0 mi 5.4
Wilson Elementary School Florence 4.0 mi 7.9
Florence Middle School Florence 4.5 mi 5.9
Kilby Laboratory School Florence 4.6 mi 8.0
ST JOSEPH REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Florence 5.0 mi 7.0
Weeden Elementary School Florence 4.8 mi 7.1
L E Willson Elementary School Sheffield 6.8 mi 7.9
Sheffield Junior High School Sheffield 7.1 mi 4.8
Central High School Florrence 5.9 mi 5.0
Central Elementary School Florrence 5.9 mi 7.6
Sheffield High School Sheffield 7.2 mi 5.4
WA Threadgill Primary School Sheffield 7.3 mi 9.6
Deshler Middle School Tuscumbia 9.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35633 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,008

Median Home Value

$177,500

Median Rent

$792/mo

Population

20,733

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

46.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Underwood Elementary School has a median household income of $66,008. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. 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
Avondale Elementary School Birmingham, AL 7.6
Banks School Banks, AL 7.6
BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur, AL 7.6
Central Elementary School Rockford, AL 7.6
Eutaw Primary School Eutaw, AL 7.6
Highlands Elementary School Huntsville, AL 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Underwood Elementary School

What grades does Underwood Elementary School serve?

Underwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Underwood Elementary School?

Underwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Underwood Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Underwood Elementary School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Underwood Elementary School rank in AL?

Underwood Elementary School is ranked #357 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Underwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Underwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Underwood Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Underwood Elementary School has 33.7% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Underwood Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Underwood Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Underwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Underwood Elementary School?

56.5% of students at Underwood Elementary 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

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,651/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Lauderdale County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lauderdale County
District Enrollment
7,992
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,253
District Rank
#5 of 14

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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