University Charter School Elementary

University Charter School Elementary serves 379 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Livingston, Alabama, a small remote rural community in Sumter County. As a public charter school, it operates with a degree of independence that can allow for tailored approaches to early education, though the school carries a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1 across 16 full-time teachers, meaning classrooms are moderately sized for an elementary setting. Academically, the school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 40th percentile among Alabama's 1,330 schools.

Reading and ELA scores show a solid foundation, with 66% of students performing at or above proficiency. Math is an area with meaningful room for growth, with 29% of students currently meeting proficiency benchmarks — something families may want to factor into conversations with teachers about academic support. The surrounding 35470 ZIP code reflects the character of rural Sumter County, with a population of just under 5,000 residents, a median household income of around $40,000, and a 20% poverty rate.

About 29% of adults in the community hold a bachelor's degree or higher. University Charter School Elementary sits at the heart of this close-knit, small-town community, where families and educators are working together in a setting that values local roots.

The student-teacher ratio at University Charter School Elementary is 23.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

University Charter School Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, University Charter School Elementary 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.