Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Alabama rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Northside Middle School

Q: Is Northside Middle School a good school?

Northside Middle School ranks 164 th of 443 Alabama middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

164^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 443 Alabama Middle Schools

Better than 63% of Alabama middle schools

Summary

Northside Middle School in Northport, AL, serves 394 students in grades 6-8 and is part of the Tuscaloosa County school district. This smaller middle school stands out for its strong English/Language Arts instruction, remarkably low chronic absenteeism, and exceptional recent gains in special education outcomes, though it faces challenges in math and science that have contributed to a gradual decline in its statewide ranking over the past decade.

Northside's clear academic strength is ELA, where 6th and 7th graders post proficiency rates of 71.4% and 67.5% respectively—more than 20 percentage points above the district average. The school also shines in student attendance, with only 5.5% of students chronically absent compared to 11.8% district-wide and 12.0% statewide. Perhaps most impressive is the dramatic turnaround in special education: the school jumped from the 48th percentile statewide in 2023-2024 to the 89th percentile (ranked 28th out of 266 schools) in 2025-2026, suggesting a targeted intervention is working well. However, math proficiency lags the state average in 6th and 7th grades (30.4% and 23.6% vs. 35.2% and 24.5%), and 8th grade science scores trail the state by roughly 10 points (43.2% vs. 54.1%).

Compared to nearby schools like Sipsey Valley Middle School and Northridge Middle School, Northside has the lowest poverty rate (27.4% free/reduced lunch) and lowest absenteeism, yet those schools outperform it in 8th grade ELA, science, and math. The school also operates efficiently, spending $8,133 per student—less than Sipsey Valley's $10,233—while achieving comparable outcomes. A persistent gender gap (female students rank 115th statewide vs. 209th for males) and a rapidly changing demographic profile suggest areas for focused attention. With its strong foundation in reading, attendance, and special education support, Northside is well-positioned to improve if it can replicate its ELA success in STEM subjects.

394

Students ?

16.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,133

Per pupil spending ?

27.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

19130 Northside Parkway
Northport, AL 35546

(205) 342-2740

District: Tuscaloosa County

Students who attend Northside Middle School usually attend:

High:

Northside High School

Feeder schools for Northside Middle School:

Elementary:

Walker Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.9%

Hispanic:

4.8%

African American:

2.0%

See top rated Alabama middle schools

Compare Northside Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 78th percentile in 2016 → 63rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Alabama median (63rd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 15 percentile points since 2016

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

!Science scores 11 pts below the Alabama average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg36%

Alabama avg44%

164^th of 443

Alabama public middle schools ?

Top 37%▼ down 15 pts since 2016

From top 22% (2016) to top 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 7Middle Schools in the Tuscaloosa County

87^th of 139Tuscaloosa 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	58.1	164 of 443	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.7	181 of 439	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.5	149 of 442	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.8	130 of 437	70.3%	★★★★☆
2022	66.4	115 of 432	73.4%	★★★★☆
2021	62.8	136 of 440	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.5	101 of 437	76.9%	★★★★☆
2018	73.8	88 of 423	79.2%	★★★★☆
2017	68.9	99 of 432	77.1%	★★★★☆
2016	70.5	94 of 432	78.2%	★★★★☆
2015	65.0	108 of 430	74.9%	★★★★☆
2014	62.3	136 of 438	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2013	60.4	174 of 436	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	69.0	116 of 436	73.4%	★★★★☆
2011	67.0	140 of 435	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2010	53.0	219 of 435	49.7%	★★★☆☆
2009	49.7	220 of 425	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	50.6	213 of 417	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	52.8	199 of 412	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2006	42.8	250 of 409	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2005	53.5	184 of 415	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2004	62.0	135 of 407	66.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	66.1	115 of 422	72.7%	★★★★☆
2025	57.1	160 of 415	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.7	129 of 426	69.7%	★★★★☆
2023	66.6	106 of 417	74.6%	★★★★☆
2022	66.3	114 of 423	73.0%	★★★★☆
2021	59.9	145 of 415	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	66.6	103 of 399	74.2%	★★★★☆
2018	71.7	95 of 392	75.8%	★★★★☆
2017	54.7	159 of 380	58.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	49.7	193 of 432	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	34.5	290 of 428	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	48.3	206 of 437	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.2	139 of 410	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.0	183 of 421	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.7	119 of 415	71.3%	★★★★☆
2019	66.9	101 of 396	74.5%	★★★★☆
2018	75.4	67 of 396	83.1%	★★★★☆
2017	54.4	134 of 349	61.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	48.5	209 of 421	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.8	208 of 422	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.3	168 of 428	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.3	147 of 419	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.2	125 of 427	70.7%	★★★★☆
2021	63.4	114 of 418	72.7%	★★★★☆
2019	71.6	81 of 399	79.7%	★★★★☆
2018	73.0	82 of 397	79.3%	★★★★☆
2017	77.6	58 of 380	84.7%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	75.7	28 of 266	89.5%	★★★★☆
2025	43.6	132 of 271	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.0	147 of 281	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.3	92 of 281	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	41.1	139 of 256	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.5	145 of 274	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	59.6	69 of 254	72.8%	★★★★☆
2018	54.0	81 of 223	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	46.0	93 of 195	52.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	40.4	208 of 355	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.4	235 of 377	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.0	174 of 373	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.5	172 of 370	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.7	146 of 376	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.8	157 of 369	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.8	125 of 343	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.3	123 of 331	62.8%	★★★☆☆

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)

Special Education (2026)89th percentile+26 vs school

Female (2026)73rd percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)55th percentile-8 vs school

Male (2026)50th percentile-13 vs school

White (2026)41st percentile-22 vs school

By subject vs Alabama (2025-2026) ?

English64%+8 vs state

Science43%-11 vs state

Mathematics27%~ state avg

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Northside Middle School and help other families decide.

Rate Northside Middle School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Northside Middle School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 (2019)
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	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 5th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 8th Grade	Summative Assessment English 5th Grade	Summative Assessment English 6th Grade	Summative Assessment English 7th Grade	Summative Assessment English 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northside Middle School	Public	6-8	19130 Northside Parkway	Northport	35546	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa County	No	No	No	No	(205) 342-2740	394	24	16.7	27.4%	358 (90.9%)	8 (2.0%)	19 (4.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	5 (1.3%)	58.1	164^th of 443 public middle schools	63.0%		53.7	181^st of 439 public middle schools	58.8%	17		30.4	23.6	26.4	43.2		71.4	67.5	54.4	$8,133	$1,036	$7,072
Northport Intermediate School	Public	5-6	13688 Frankie Thomas Trace	Northport	35475	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa County	No	No	No	No	(205) 342-2690	500	25	19.6	44.0%	302 (60.4%)	101 (20.2%)	87 (17.4%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.2%)								(n/a)	45.9	31.3				74.7	65.2
Northridge Middle School	Public	6-8	3811 Northridge Road	Tuscaloosa	35406	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa City	No	No	No	No	(205) 759-3578	775	49	15.8	39.1%	381 (49.2%)	281 (36.3%)	67 (8.6%)	28 (3.6%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (1.9%)	77.4	73^rd of 443 public middle schools	83.5%		72.1	95^th of 439 public middle schools	78.4%	22		50.2	40.1	36.5	62.2		66.1	62.0	70.0	$9,554	$693	$8,841
Echols Middle School	Public	7-8	2701 Echols Ave	Northport	35476	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa County	No	No	No	No	(205) 342-2884	738	42	17.5	55.1%	350 (47.4%)	212 (28.7%)	151 (20.5%)	9 (1.2%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (1.8%)	59	159^th of 443 public middle schools	64.1%		51.5	199^th of 439 public middle schools	54.7%	40			24.2	23.1	54.4			60.3	60.4	$6,871	$719	$6,063
CollinsRiverside Middle School	Public	5-6	1400 3rd St	Northport	35476	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa County	No	No	No	No	(205) 342-2680	318	18	17.4	74.5%	75 (23.6%)	156 (49.1%)	80 (25.2%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)								(n/a)	21.3	23.8				67.7	47.6			$8,444	$849	$7,571
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	315 Mcfarland Blvd E	Tuscaloosa	35404	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa City	No	Yes	No	No	(205) 759-3653	173	11	16.4	30.1%	66 (38.2%)	89 (51.4%)	4 (2.3%)	12 (6.9%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	98	5^th of 443 public middle schools	98.9%		96.6	9^th of 439 public middle schools	97.9%	4		80.0	50.0	66.1	89.8		90.0	89.7	94.9	$12,744	$57	$12,668
Westlawn Middle School	Public	6-8	1715 Martin L King Jr Blvd	Tuscaloosa	35401	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa City	No	No	No	Yes	(205) 759-3673	568	38	14.9	87.9%	7 (1.2%)	488 (85.9%)	61 (10.7%)	4 (0.7%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.9%)	14.1	393^rd of 443 public middle schools	11.3%		14.7	382^nd of 439 public middle schools	13.0%	11		16.0	4.4	9.9	28.6		25.0	25.7	35.2	$13,988	$3,689	$10,279
Fayette Middle School	Public	5-8	418 3Rd Ave NE	Fayette	35555	Fayette County	Fayette County	No	No	No	Yes	(205) 932-7660	318	22	14.4	59.7%	198 (62.3%)	82 (25.8%)	13 (4.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.5%)	49.9	219^th of 443 public middle schools	50.6%		49.4	215^th of 439 public middle schools	51.0%	4	27.8	9.8	11.3	36.5	60.0	63.3	53.7	56.3	57.7	$9,890	$1,956	$7,932
Sipsey Valley Middle School	Public	5-8	15817 Romulus Rd	Buhl	35446	Tuscaloosa County	Tuscaloosa County	No	No	No	No	(205) 342-2870	575	28	20.3	46.4%	393 (68.3%)	101 (17.6%)	70 (12.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	8 (1.4%)	60.5	148^th of 443 public middle schools	66.6%		53.3	183^rd of 439 public middle schools	58.3%	35	38.0	34.7	21.8	26.7	63.6	76.6	62.1	46.8	70.5	$10,233	$632	$7,231

Frequently Asked Questions about Northside Middle School

How many students attend Northside Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 394 students attended Northside Middle School.

What district is Northside Middle School in?

Tuscaloosa County

What high school do graduates of Northside Middle School attend?

Students who attend Northside Middle School usually go on to attend Northside High School

What is the racial makeup of Northside Middle School?

Students at Northside Middle School are 91% White, 5% Hispanic, 2% African American, 1% Two or more races.

Is Northside Middle School a good school?

Northside Middle School ranks 164^th of 443 Alabama middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Northside Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

ALAlabama Middle School Rankings

ALAlabama District Rankings

Schools in Northport, AL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Northside Middle School!

Latest Alabama data All new data »

2025–26 Summative Assessment scoresNewAug 14, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 27, 2025

2024–25 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2025

2021–22 through 2023–24 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 2, 2024

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.