Summary:
The 12 elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa City district serve grades PK-5 (with two exceptions) and range in enrollment from 291 to 671 students, creating a diverse educational landscape across the Alabama city.
For parents, the most striking pattern is a clear divide between a small group of high-performing schools and the rest. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary leads the district with a 5-star rating and a state rank of 41st, while Rock Quarry Elementary School follows closely at 48th with 5 stars. Verner Elementary School also earns 4 stars, ranking 90th. These three schools consistently post English proficiency rates above 90% in several grades, far outpacing the rest of the district. In contrast, schools like Martin L King Junior Elementary School (ranked 532nd) and Oakdale Elementary School (ranked 498th) sit in the bottom third of Alabama schools, with science proficiency rates below 15%.
There are bright spots worth noting. The Alberta School of Performing Arts has climbed from 475th to 351st in two years, and University Place Elementary School improved from 527th to 413th. However, the data also reveals that higher spending doesn't guarantee better results—Oakdale Elementary School spends the most per student ($12,270) yet struggles academically, while Verner Elementary School spends the least ($10,118) and excels. Chronic absenteeism also doesn't tell the full story: Central Elementary School has the best attendance (1.0%) but still ranks in the bottom third. Across the district, English proficiency consistently outpaces math, and science scores are the weakest subject overall. Parents should weigh these factors carefully when choosing a school.
Thank you for your feedback!