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Average

#68 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 33% of private schools

Westgate Christian School

Elementary School

617 WESTGATE PKWY, Dothan, AL 36303

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Dothan. Learn more

Enrollment

36

Student-Teacher

6.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Dothan

#2 of 5

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#31 of 65

About Westgate Christian School

Westgate Christian School serves 36 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Dothan, Alabama. Despite its name suggesting a religious affiliation, this elementary school operates as a regular public school with an exceptionally small enrollment that creates an intimate learning environment. The school maintains a remarkably low student-teacher ratio of 6.4:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention that many larger schools cannot provide.

This individualized approach appears to be paying dividends, as Westgate Christian School has earned an impressive 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, indicating strong overall performance across multiple measures. While the school ranks #140 out of 206 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 32nd percentile, the small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff create opportunities for focused instruction and close student-teacher relationships. The intimate scale means every student is known personally by faculty and staff.

The school draws from a diverse community in the 36303 zip code area, where the median household income is $51,982 and median home values reach $166,400. About 28% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 20.7%. Westgate Christian School is situated in Dothan's small city environment, providing students with a close-knit educational community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 36 students, Westgate Christian 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 6.4:1, Westgate Christian 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, Westgate Christian 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$34,469
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$33,324
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.97x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
99%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$378,189

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 36 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Westgate Christian School compares to 13 public schools serving similar grades in Dothan, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.4:1
This School
vs
17.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
36
This School
vs
406
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
6.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 61.1% vs 0%
Black 30.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.8% vs 0%
Asian 2.8% vs 0%
Westgate Christian School Dothan Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Westgate Christian School (this school) 6.8
Girard Primary School 8.2
Girard Intermediate School 7.0
Heard Elementary School 4.1
Dothan City Early Education Center 7.7
Selma Street Elementary School 7.0
Morris Slingluff Elementary School 6.8
Kelly Springs Elementary School 6.6
Highlands Elementary School 7.1
Faine Elementary School 6.4
Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology 6.7
Beverlye Intermediate School 4.7
Hidden Lake Primary School 8.9
Rehobeth Elementary 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 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,224
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 53%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 36
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 61.1%
Black 30.6%
Hispanic 2.8%
Asian 2.8%
Two or More 2.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

617 WESTGATE PKWY, Dothan, AL 36303

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Westgate Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Girard Primary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highlands Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Girard Intermediate School (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dothan, see our Dothan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
HOUSTON ACADEMY Dothan 0.8 mi 6.0
Girard Primary School Dothan 0.9 mi 8.2
Girard Intermediate School Dothan 0.9 mi 7.0
Heard Elementary School Dothan 1.5 mi 4.1
NORTHSIDE METHODIST CHURCH & ACADEMY Dothan 1.5 mi 4.7
DOTHAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Dothan 2.0 mi
Dothan City Early Education Center Dothan 2.5 mi 7.7
Selma Street Elementary School Dothan 2.5 mi 7.0
Houston County Virtual Academy Newton 2.3 mi 4.6
Kelly Springs Elementary School Dothan 3.2 mi 6.6
Morris Slingluff Elementary School Dothan 3.2 mi 6.8
Dothan City Virtual School Dothan 3.3 mi 4.8
Dothan Preparatory Academy Dothan 3.3 mi 6.8
Highlands Elementary School Dothan 3.3 mi 7.1
Dothan High School Dothan 3.8 mi 5.0
Carver 9th Grade Academy Dothan 3.6 mi 5.7
Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology Dothan 4.0 mi 6.7
NEW DAY ACADEMY Dothan 4.0 mi 5.5
Faine Elementary School Dothan 3.8 mi 6.4
Beverlye Intermediate School Dothan 5.9 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,006

Median Home Value

$175,600

Median Rent

$855/mo

Population

30,388

College Educated

27.8%

Homeownership

58.7%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

22.2%

Median Age

38.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Westgate Christian School has a median household income of $53,006. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,600, with a median rent of $855/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Westgate Christian School

What grades does Westgate Christian School serve?

Westgate Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Westgate Christian School?

Westgate Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 36 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Westgate Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Westgate Christian School is 6.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Westgate Christian School rank in AL?

Westgate Christian School is ranked #68 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Westgate Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Westgate Christian School 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 Westgate Christian School a private school?

Yes, Westgate Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Church of Christ affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Westgate Christian School a religious school?

Westgate Christian School has a Church of Christ religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,702/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
36
Gender Split
36% M / 64% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Church of Christ
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
HOUSTON
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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