Eastwood Middle School

Eastwood Middle School in Cottondale, AL, serves 711 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Tuscaloosa City school district. The school has faced persistent academic challenges, with overall proficiency rates in math and English falling below state averages, placing it in the bottom quarter of schools statewide. For example, 6th-grade math proficiency is around 16%, compared to a state average of 35%, while English proficiency is closer to 40% versus the state's 55-58% range.

Despite these overall struggles, Eastwood shows remarkable strength in supporting specific student groups. In the most recent school year, the school ranked in the 77th percentile for Special Education students and the 61st percentile for English Language Learners—both significantly higher than its overall ranking. This represents a dramatic improvement for Special Education students, who jumped from the 11th percentile just two years prior. The school also saw gains for African American students, moving from the 29th to the 50th percentile. When compared to nearby schools with similar poverty levels, such as Westlawn Middle School and DavisEmerson Middle School, Eastwood outperforms them in several subjects, including 6th-grade English (40% proficiency versus 25% and 33%, respectively).

One of the most encouraging trends is the dramatic reduction in chronic absenteeism, which dropped from 23.7% in 2022-2023 to 13.1% in 2024-2025—now nearly matching the state average of 12%. This improvement suggests recent efforts to boost attendance are working, which could pave the way for future academic gains. While Eastwood's overall ranking remains low, the school's targeted support for vulnerable students and its positive momentum in attendance offer a foundation for continued improvement. For parents, this means a school that, despite challenges, is making meaningful progress in specific areas and may be a good fit for students who need extra support.