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North Sand Mountain School

Q: Is North Sand Mountain School a good school?

North Sand Mountain School ranks 294 th of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

294^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 686 Alabama Alternative Schools

Better than 57% of Alabama alternative schools

Summary

North Sand Mountain School in Higdon, AL, is a public PK-12 school serving 694 students in the Jackson County district, which holds a 3-star rating. The school serves a rural area and has seen a significant shift in its student population, with the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch dropping from 55.5% to 39.3% in the past year.

This school has a distinctive academic profile that parents should understand. The early grades are a clear strength—3rd and 4th graders significantly outperform district and state averages in both math and English. For example, 3rd-grade math proficiency is 61.7% compared to the state's 44.9%. However, there's a dramatic "middle school dip" in 5th and 6th grades, where math proficiency plummets to just 12.5% and 20.5%, respectively. The good news is that students make a strong recovery in 7th and 8th grades, with 8th-grade science proficiency reaching an impressive 75%, far above the state's 54.1%. This pattern suggests the transition into middle school is a challenging period that the school may need to address with additional support.

High school performance is the most concerning area. 11th-grade math proficiency is just 10.9%, and English is 17.4%, both well below state averages. This is particularly notable when compared to nearby Ider School, which has a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students but still achieves better high school math scores (27.1%). The graduation rate of 92.3% is slightly above the state average, but it has been volatile in recent years. Additionally, chronic absenteeism is a growing concern at 17.6%, notably higher than the district's 12.7% and trending upward. While the school excels in early education and shows resilience in middle school, parents of older students may want to ask about the specific challenges impacting high school achievement and attendance.

694

Students ?

17.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,490

Per pupil spending ?

39.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

29333 AL Highway 71
Higdon, AL 35979

(256) 597-2368

District: Jackson County

Racial breakdown:

White:

76.4%

American Indian:

20.2%

Hispanic:

2.4%

See top rated Alabama elementary schools

Compare North Sand Mountain School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 50th percentile in 2023 → 23rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Alabama median (57th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 27 percentile points since 2023

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

!Near the bottom of Jackson County's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school48%

District avg49%

Alabama avg46%

Elementary school

294^th of 686

Alabama public elementary schools ?

Top 43%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From top 35% (2016) to top 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

105^th of 449

Alabama public middle schools ?

Top 23%▲ up 25 pts since 2016

From top 48% (2016) to top 23% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

298^th of 386

Alabama public high schools ?

Bottom 23%▼ down 17 pts since 2016

From bottom 39% (2016) to bottom 23% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 5Alternative Schools in the Jackson County

50^th of 140Jackson 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	57.2	294 of 686	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	72.8	169 of 680	75.1%	★★★★☆
2024	66.4	212 of 684	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	79.9	114 of 680	83.2%	★★★★☆
2022	78.9	122 of 687	82.2%	★★★★☆
2021	60.5	257 of 692	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	69.7	179 of 681	73.7%	★★★★☆
2018	60.7	275 of 680	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	56.7	297 of 688	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	62.0	245 of 691	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	63.2	213 of 691	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	55.7	303 of 695	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	71.2	151 of 696	78.3%	★★★★☆
2012	68.8	201 of 696	71.1%	★★★★☆
2011	65.6	249 of 709	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	50.4	411 of 704	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	70.0	170 of 696	75.6%	★★★★☆
2008	56.2	314 of 698	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2007	75.1	134 of 698	80.8%	★★★★☆
2006	75.2	118 of 689	82.9%	★★★★☆
2005	68.4	185 of 688	73.1%	★★★★☆
2004	65.7	187 of 623	70.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	62.4	242 of 651	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.0	168 of 649	74.1%	★★★★☆
2024	59.8	246 of 650	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	79.8	108 of 645	83.3%	★★★★☆
2022	78.2	115 of 656	82.5%	★★★★☆
2021	60.6	238 of 656	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.3	171 of 646	73.5%	★★★★☆
2018	52.0	329 of 640	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	56.9	265 of 639	58.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	61.4	238 of 667	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	76.3	111 of 660	83.2%	★★★★☆
2024	69.7	162 of 670	75.8%	★★★★☆
2023	78.1	91 of 623	85.4%	★★★★☆
2022	77.9	95 of 651	85.4%	★★★★☆
2021	50.8	325 of 653	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.4	202 of 649	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.6	264 of 651	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	47.7	309 of 567	45.5%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	51.6	333 of 659	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	71.5	179 of 651	72.5%	★★★★☆
2024	70.3	188 of 655	71.3%	★★★★☆
2023	76.1	127 of 649	80.4%	★★★★☆
2022	75.7	136 of 669	79.7%	★★★★☆
2021	55.7	277 of 669	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	69.4	176 of 650	72.9%	★★★★☆
2018	62.3	249 of 650	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	54.5	295 of 639	53.8%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2023	80.6	9 of 57	84.2%	★★★★☆
2022	88.7	7 of 65	89.2%	★★★★★
2021	71.6	14 of 63	77.8%	★★★★☆
2019	72.3	14 of 58	75.9%	★★★★☆
2018	37.8	10 of 13	23.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	49.9	6 of 13	53.8%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	48.0	178 of 403	55.8%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	33.0	359 of 501	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	53.5	250 of 532	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.3	291 of 535	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	65.7	152 of 528	71.2%	★★★★☆
2022	63.9	170 of 540	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.3	286 of 539	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	54.5	214 of 529	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	34.8	359 of 508	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	35.7	244 of 369	33.9%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	70.2	105 of 449	76.6%	★★★★☆
2025	69.8	102 of 439	76.8%	★★★★☆
2024	60.2	151 of 442	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.8	158 of 437	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	73.2	78 of 432	81.9%	★★★★☆
2021	61.4	146 of 440	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.3	113 of 437	74.1%	★★★★☆
2018	50.6	211 of 423	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	55.4	176 of 432	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	49.5	207 of 432	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	43.7	238 of 430	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2014	45.4	249 of 438	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	63.3	151 of 436	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	68.0	120 of 436	72.5%	★★★★☆
2011	64.1	158 of 435	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	62.2	163 of 435	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	61.3	148 of 425	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	61.2	140 of 417	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2007	81.7	45 of 412	89.1%	★★★★☆
2006	68.7	95 of 409	76.8%	★★★★☆
2005	77.5	57 of 415	86.3%	★★★★☆
2004	83.9	37 of 407	90.9%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	77.2	73 of 427	82.9%	★★★★☆
2025	75.0	80 of 415	80.7%	★★★★☆
2024	67.6	105 of 426	75.4%	★★★★☆
2023	63.0	126 of 417	69.8%	★★★★☆
2022	68.0	101 of 423	76.1%	★★★★☆
2021	51.4	193 of 415	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.3	78 of 399	80.5%	★★★★☆
2018	60.6	143 of 392	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	60.9	125 of 380	67.1%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	69.4	97 of 438	77.9%	★★★★☆
2025	67.0	108 of 428	74.8%	★★★★☆
2024	51.9	191 of 437	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	45.8	213 of 410	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	71.7	69 of 421	83.6%	★★★★☆
2021	41.5	241 of 415	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	65.8	105 of 396	73.5%	★★★★☆
2018	51.7	191 of 396	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	51.6	152 of 349	56.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	61.7	135 of 426	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.6	140 of 422	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.4	191 of 428	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.2	183 of 419	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	75.9	67 of 427	84.3%	★★★★☆
2021	67.3	94 of 418	77.5%	★★★★☆
2019	57.2	160 of 399	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	38.5	254 of 397	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	48.8	189 of 380	50.3%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2025	81.0	11 of 66	83.3%	★★★★☆
2024	86.6	7 of 69	89.9%	★★★★★
2023	77.9	11 of 61	82.0%	★★★★☆
2022	84.3	6 of 65	90.8%	★★★★★
2021	68.7	11 of 56	80.4%	★★★★☆
2019	85.4	4 of 44	90.9%	★★★★★
2018	39.0	9 of 14	35.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	61.9	6 of 14	57.1%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	46.0	178 of 359	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.7	140 of 377	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	38.4	229 of 373	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	40.0	208 of 370	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	58.9	124 of 376	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.2	172 of 369	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	37.2	214 of 343	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	22.1	285 of 331	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	27.4	187 of 247	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	23.3	298 of 386	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	59.6	137 of 374	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	27.1	279 of 378	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	43.3	187 of 371	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	71.7	83 of 367	77.4%	★★★★☆
2021	35.9	234 of 371	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.3	234 of 366	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	55.0	165 of 356	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	35.9	224 of 353	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	38.0	213 of 351	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	55.2	138 of 353	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	61.0	125 of 358	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	76.9	13 of 358	96.4%	★★★★★
2012	81.0	24 of 358	93.3%	★★★★★
2011	86.3	12 of 360	96.7%	★★★★★
2010	69.6	81 of 358	77.4%	★★★★☆
2009	59.7	139 of 357	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	68.9	84 of 359	76.6%	★★★★☆
2007	78.2	46 of 358	87.2%	★★★★☆
2006	69.6	71 of 357	80.1%	★★★★☆
2005	61.6	129 of 359	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2004	69.2	87 of 357	75.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	34.5	252 of 377	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	60.7	121 of 359	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	24.0	281 of 366	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	59.3	128 of 358	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	76.7	66 of 367	82.0%	★★★★☆
2021	51.7	163 of 359	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	23.7	274 of 354	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	67.2	109 of 347	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	23.0	265 of 343	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	13.3	362 of 383	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	43.4	193 of 367	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.5	210 of 375	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.2	141 of 349	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.6	159 of 361	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	29.4	259 of 361	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	40.1	211 of 358	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	76.8	59 of 349	83.1%	★★★★☆
2017	42.8	177 of 315	43.8%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	15.9	328 of 380	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	55.9	146 of 363	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	30.0	252 of 368	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	24.9	272 of 358	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	61.2	112 of 366	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	29.9	253 of 366	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	51.7	178 of 357	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	43.5	200 of 350	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	49.3	144 of 339	57.5%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2025	65.4	16 of 57	71.9%	★★★★☆
2024	56.8	21 of 55	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.7	10 of 45	77.8%	★★★★☆
2022	90.5	5 of 40	87.5%	★★★★☆
2021	62.1	15 of 40	62.5%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2025	39.5	110 of 194	43.3%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	12.2	292 of 320	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	46.5	164 of 325	49.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	12.1	311 of 325	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	18.1	273 of 317	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	46.3	153 of 326	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	16.9	285 of 319	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.6	256 of 313	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	27.0	221 of 300	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	14.8	214 of 230	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Native American (2023)84th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)64th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)63rd percentile+6 vs school

Special Education (2026)56th percentile~ school

Male (2026)49th percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)28th percentile-29 vs school

Middle school

Native American (2025)83rd percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)83rd percentile+6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)78th percentile~ school

Male (2026)68th percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)50th percentile-26 vs school

High school

Native American (2025)72nd percentile+9 vs school

Special Education (2025)43rd percentile-20 vs school

Female (2026)33rd percentile+10 vs school

Male (2026)14th percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)9th percentile-14 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)5th percentile-17 vs school

By subject vs Alabama (2025-2026) ?

English58%~ state avg

Science52%+5 vs state

Mathematics36%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near North Sand Mountain 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 ()				Ranking ()				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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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 Mathematics 7th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 11th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 4th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 8th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 11th Grade	Summative Assessment English 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment English 4th Grade	Summative Assessment English 5th Grade	Summative Assessment English 6th Grade	Summative Assessment English 7th Grade	Summative Assessment English 8th Grade	Summative Assessment English 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
North Sand Mountain School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	29333 AL Highway 71	Higdon	35979	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 597-2368	694	39	17.8	39.3%	530 (76.4%)	1 (0.1%)	17 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	140 (20.2%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.7%)								(n/a)	61.7	57.4	12.5	20.5	42.5	44.6	10.9	62.3	75.0	19.6	76.1	68.9	62.5	53.9	60.3	69.6	17.4	$11,490	$1,927	$9,554
Ider School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1064 Crabapple Ln	Ider	35981	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 632-2302	586	36	16.4	50.7%	429 (73.2%)	2 (0.3%)	23 (3.9%)	3 (0.5%)	107 (18.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.8%)								(n/a)	65.6	39.0	50.0	57.5	30.6	36.8	27.1	65.9	71.1	29.2	84.4	70.7	70.3	73.2	75.0	65.8	23.4	$14,287	$2,749	$11,339
Pisgah High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	60 Metcalf St	Pisgah	35765	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 451-3241	598	32	18.6	50.7%	416 (69.6%)	4 (0.7%)	21 (3.5%)	5 (0.8%)	144 (24.1%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.3%)								(n/a)	54.6	45.5	30.6	41.7	30.3	29.6	30.2	72.7	61.4	35.9	81.8	75.8	77.8	58.3	60.6	64.4	28.9	$11,267	$1,949	$9,308
Valley Head High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	235 1st Ave	Valley Head	35989	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 635-6228	517	35	14.7	70.0%	344 (66.5%)	3 (0.6%)	129 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.1%)								(n/a)	53.3	33.3	29.3	28.1	17.7	10.8	15.2	46.2	46.0	36.4	66.7	46.2	80.5	50.0	52.9	37.8	15.2	$14,708	$3,344	$10,932

Frequently Asked Questions about North Sand Mountain School

What district is North Sand Mountain School in?

Jackson County

How many students attend North Sand Mountain School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 694 students attended North Sand Mountain School.

What is the racial makeup of North Sand Mountain School?

Students at North Sand Mountain School are 76% White, 20% American Indian, 2% Hispanic.

Is North Sand Mountain School a good school?

North Sand Mountain School ranks 294^th of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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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.