Very Good
#333 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 25% in state
University Place Elementary School
Elementary School · Tuscaloosa City
2000 First Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
612
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tuscaloosa
#4 of 23
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#300 of 696
In district
#3 of 19
Tuscaloosa City
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About University Place Elementary School
University Place Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 612 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, providing a relatively small classroom environment. The school is staffed by 37 full-time equivalent teachers, fostering a supportive learning atmosphere.
University Place Elementary School is located in a mid-size city, offering students the benefits of urban resources while maintaining a close-knit community feel. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, University Place Elementary School scores a 5.0 out of 10, placing it at the 39th percentile among Alabama schools. Academically, the school has room for improvement, with 33% of students meeting proficiency levels in ELA/reading and 18% meeting proficiency levels in math.
The school serves a neighborhood with a median household income of $27,497 and a poverty rate of 36.9%, where 26% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. University Place Elementary School is situated in a diverse community with a mix of educational and economic backgrounds, making it a vital part of the Tuscaloosa area.
Score Breakdown
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University Place Elementary School — Students at University Place Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How University Place Elementary School Compares
See how University Place Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 18% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
2000 First Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering University Place Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is The Alberta School of Performing Arts (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Matthews Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Northport), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central High School Tuscaloosa | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| The Alberta School of Performing Arts Tuscaloosa | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Matthews Elementary School Northport | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| BEAR CREEK ACADEMY Tuscaloosa | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| NORTH RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| RIVERWOOD CLASSICAL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Arcadia Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY Tuscaloosa | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Verner Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Northridge High School Tuscaloosa | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$30,031
Median Home Value
$141,100
Median Rent
$911/mo
Population
40,507
College Educated
26.6%
Homeownership
31.4%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
38.1%
Median Age
22.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding University Place Elementary School has a median household income of $30,031. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,100, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| A M Windham Elementary School Daleville, AL | 7.7 |
| Forest Hill Elementary School Mobile, AL | 7.7 |
| George Washington Carver Elementary School Tuskegee, AL | 7.7 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School Enterprise, AL | 7.7 |
| Munford Elementary School Munford, AL | 7.7 |
| Ogletree Elementary School Auburn, AL | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University Place Elementary School
What grades does University Place Elementary School serve?
University Place Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend University Place Elementary School?
University Place Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 612 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at University Place Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at University Place Elementary School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does University Place Elementary School rank in AL?
University Place Elementary School is ranked #333 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is University Place Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
University Place Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 University Place Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, University Place Elementary School has 23.3% math proficiency and 54.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is University Place Elementary School a charter school?
No, University Place Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is University Place Elementary School a Title I school?
No, University Place Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University Place Elementary School?
66.2% of students at University Place 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tuscaloosa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 612
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Phone
- (205) 759-3664
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa City- District Enrollment
- 11,207
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,227
- District Rank
- #3 of 19
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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