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Hatton Elementary School

Q: Is Hatton Elementary School a good school?

Hatton Elementary School ranks 214 th of 686 Alabama elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

214^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 686 Alabama Elementary Schools

Better than 69% of Alabama elementary schools

Summary

Hatton Elementary School is a small, rural school in Leighton, AL, serving 236 students in grades PK-6 within the Colbert County district. What makes this school stand out is its remarkable turnaround—it has climbed from the bottom third of Alabama elementary schools a decade ago to a solid 3-star rating (69th percentile) today, all while serving a student body where about two-thirds qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The school's biggest strength is how well it supports students from low-income backgrounds. In the most recent school year, Hatton ranked in the 82nd percentile statewide specifically for its performance with low-income students—an impressive feat given its demographics. Boys are also thriving here, with male student achievement ranking in the 87th percentile. Academically, 5th grade math is a standout: 82% of students scored proficient, compared to just 39% statewide. The school also keeps kids in class, with a chronic absenteeism rate (13.3%) well below the district average (17.8%). With a low student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, children get more individual attention than at nearby schools like McBride Elementary (17.3:1) or Brooks Elementary (18.5:1).

Compared to Leighton Elementary—just 4.7 miles away and serving similar demographics—Hatton outperforms it by a wide margin, ranking 214th statewide versus Leighton's 459th. However, there are areas to watch. Fourth-grade math proficiency (35%) lags behind the district average, and science scores trail state averages. Special education performance has also been a concern in past years, though recent data is limited. While Hatton doesn't match elite schools like Kilby Laboratory School (which serves a far more affluent population), its results are genuinely impressive given its resources and demographics. For parents seeking a school where children from all backgrounds can succeed, Hatton is a compelling choice.

236

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,933

Per pupil spending ?

65.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

2130 Hatton School Rd
Leighton, AL 35646

(256) 446-5679

District: Colbert County

Students who attend Hatton Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Colbert County High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.1%

African American:

20.3%

Two or more races:

9.7%

See top rated Alabama elementary schools

Compare Hatton Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 29th percentile in 2016 → 69th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Alabama average (64% vs 53% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 40 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Alabama median (69th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Science scores 12 pts below the Alabama average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg57%

Alabama avg53%

214^th of 686

Alabama public elementary schools ?

Top 31%▲ up 40 pts since 2016

From bottom 29% (2016) to top 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 5Elementary Schools in the Colbert County

70^th of 140Colbert County among Alabama districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	68.1	214 of 686	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	67.6	215 of 680	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.5	263 of 684	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.3	276 of 680	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	37.8	426 of 687	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.4	445 of 692	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.7	436 of 681	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	41.0	434 of 680	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	41.1	430 of 688	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	31.8	490 of 691	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	34.6	467 of 691	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2014	43.8	414 of 695	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	50.1	441 of 696	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.9	326 of 696	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	54.8	385 of 709	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2010	63.2	276 of 704	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	61.6	271 of 696	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	50.0	389 of 698	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	36.4	513 of 698	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	46.9	396 of 689	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2005	47.7	392 of 688	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2004	58.2	260 of 623	58.3%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2021	39.7	238 of 426	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	56.5	148 of 426	65.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	55.0	300 of 651	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	68.6	189 of 649	70.9%	★★★★☆
2024	41.1	401 of 650	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.2	367 of 645	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.6	395 of 656	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	44.9	362 of 656	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.4	441 of 646	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.9	366 of 640	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	42.0	392 of 639	38.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	70.3	160 of 667	76.0%	★★★★☆
2025	75.2	118 of 660	82.1%	★★★★☆
2024	63.6	236 of 670	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.7	184 of 623	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	51.0	325 of 651	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.8	389 of 653	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	48.6	345 of 649	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	52.3	326 of 651	49.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	83.7	85 of 659	87.1%	★★★★☆
2025	68.6	202 of 651	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.2	173 of 655	73.6%	★★★★☆
2023	62.8	233 of 649	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	28.8	471 of 669	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	15.4	573 of 669	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	38.8	417 of 650	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.4	432 of 650	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	39.6	408 of 639	36.2%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2021	15.0	388 of 398	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	21.8	341 of 392	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.0	201 of 344	41.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	54.6	215 of 501	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.8	232 of 532	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.1	236 of 535	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.7	235 of 528	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	27.3	421 of 540	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	27.0	421 of 539	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	36.5	363 of 529	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	22.8	436 of 508	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)87th percentile+18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)76th percentile+7 vs school

White (2026)57th percentile-12 vs school

Female (2026)54th percentile-15 vs school

African American (2021)44th percentile+8 vs school

Special Education (2021)3rd percentile-33 vs school

By subject vs Alabama (2025-2026) ?

English73%+9 vs state

Mathematics63%+21 vs state

Science39%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Hatton Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Summative Assessment Mathematics (2026)				Summative Assessment Science (2026)	Summative Assessment English (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Summative Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 4th Grade	Summative Assessment English 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment English 4th Grade	Summative Assessment English 5th Grade	Summative Assessment English 6th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Hatton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2130 Hatton School Rd	Leighton	35646	Colbert County	Colbert County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 446-5679	236	18	13.2	65.3%	156 (66.1%)	48 (20.3%)	8 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.7%)	68.1	214^th of 686 public elementary schools	68.8%		67.6	215^th of 680 public elementary schools	68.4%	1	70.0	35.5	82.1		38.7	72.5	61.3	85.7		$14,933	$2,773	$12,143
Leighton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8100 Old Highway 20	Leighton	35646	Colbert County	Colbert County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 446-8351	355	26	13.8	61.4%	216 (60.8%)	63 (17.7%)	38 (10.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.6%)	33 (9.3%)	35.8	458^th of 686 public elementary schools	33.2%		39	433^rd of 680 public elementary schools	36.3%	25	48.6	29.7	20.9		37.8	71.4	43.2	48.8		$14,759	$2,464	$12,278
Hazlewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	334 Hazelwood St	Town Creek	35672	Lawrence County	Lawrence County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 685-4020	221	13	17.0	85.1%	90 (40.7%)	108 (48.9%)	7 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (5.9%)	17.4	575^th of 686 public elementary schools	16.2%		17.3	566^th of 680 public elementary schools	16.8%	9	16.7	11.5	25.0	24.0	24.0	37.5	30.8	50.0	44.0	$17,353	$3,781	$13,558
Webster Elementary School	Public	1-2	200 Webster Ave	Muscle Shoals	35661	Colbert County	Muscle Shoals City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 389-2650	234	14	16.4	40.6%	149 (63.7%)	46 (19.7%)	15 (6.4%)	6 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.7%)								(n/a)										$14,316	$2,486	$11,792
Brooks Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	100 School Ln	Killen	35645	Lauderdale County	Lauderdale County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 757-2171	874	47	18.5	32.8%	742 (84.9%)	38 (4.3%)	27 (3.1%)	7 (0.8%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (6.3%)	72.7	172^nd of 686 public elementary schools	74.9%		78.2	132^nd of 680 public elementary schools	80.6%	40	56.8	61.5	39.5	58.0	51.4	72.1	76.2	73.4	68.1	$10,379	$1,693	$8,638
Howell Graves Preschool	Public	PK-K	3201 Alabama Ave	Muscle Shoals	35661	Colbert County	Muscle Shoals City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 389-2630	356	19	18.7	19.9%	238 (66.9%)	53 (14.9%)	28 (7.9%)	13 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (6.7%)								(n/a)										$12,804	$2,863	$9,903
McBride Elementary School	Public	3-5	1400 Avalon Ave	Muscle Shoals	35661	Colbert County	Muscle Shoals City	No	No	No	No	(256) 389-2610	647	37	17.3	34.2%	447 (69.1%)	87 (13.4%)	55 (8.5%)	22 (3.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (5.4%)	88.3	66^th of 686 public elementary schools	90.4%		89	55^th of 680 public elementary schools	91.9%	11	84.9	63.6	62.2		71.9	88.1	72.4	86.0		$10,388	$1,033	$9,317
Weeden Elementary School	Public	K-6	400 Baldwin St	Florence	35630	Lauderdale County	Florence City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 768-2900	477	32	15.1	84.3%	96 (20.1%)	144 (30.2%)	190 (39.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (9.4%)	56.4	302^nd of 686 public elementary schools	56.0%		50.6	351^st of 680 public elementary schools	48.4%	49	62.0	46.3	46.0	50.8	27.9	61.1	55.9	61.3	63.6	$14,555	$2,981	$11,439
Highland Park Elementary School	Public	1-2	714 Elmhurst St	Muscle Shoals	35661	Colbert County	Muscle Shoals City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 389-2620	236	13	17.8	44.9%	151 (64.0%)	35 (14.8%)	26 (11.0%)	5 (2.1%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.6%)								(n/a)										$13,899	$2,147	$11,715
Kilby Laboratory School	Public	PK, KG-6	611 N Pine St	Florence	35632	Lauderdale County	Florence City	No	No	No	No	(256) 765-4303	187			11.2%	141 (75.4%)	22 (11.8%)	4 (2.1%)	6 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (7.5%)	95.6	17^th of 686 public elementary schools	97.5%		95.3	12^th of 680 public elementary schools	98.2%	5	94.4	80.0	84.2	54.6	90.0	94.4	95.0	89.5	90.9	$10,505	$195	$10,190

Frequently Asked Questions about Hatton Elementary School

How many students attend Hatton Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 236 students attended Hatton Elementary School.

What district is Hatton Elementary School in?

Colbert County

What is the racial makeup of Hatton Elementary School?

Students at Hatton Elementary School are 66% White, 20% African American, 10% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

Is Hatton Elementary School a good school?

Hatton Elementary School ranks 214^th of 686 Alabama elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Hatton Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Hatton Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Colbert County High School

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Latest Alabama data All new data »

2019–20 through 2022–23 school spending dataNewOct 6, 2026

2025–26 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 27, 2025

2024–25 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.