DavisEmerson Middle School

Davis-Emerson Middle School in Cottondale, AL, serves 397 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Tuscaloosa County school district, where nearly 80% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Academically, Davis-Emerson faces significant challenges, particularly in math. Proficiency rates drop sharply as students advance: only about 15% of 6th graders, 6% of 7th graders, and 6% of 8th graders are proficient in math, compared to state averages of 35%, 24%, and 26% respectively. English scores are stronger but still trail state and district averages—for example, 8th-grade English proficiency is 39% versus 52% for the district and 59% statewide. The school has consistently received a 1-star rating and currently ranks in the 12th percentile statewide, a decline from the 24th percentile just a few years ago. Chronic absenteeism (16%) is also higher than the district (12%) and state (12%) averages. One bright spot: the school shows relative strength with its Hispanic students, ranking in the 41st percentile for that group, which is far better than its overall performance.

When compared to nearby schools, the differences are stark. Just a few miles away, Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle ranks in the 99th percentile with proficiency rates above 80%, while Northridge Middle (84th percentile) also performs far better. Even within the same county, schools like Brookwood Middle and Hillcrest Middle outperform Davis-Emerson, though they still sit in the bottom quartile. The school spends about $9,500 per student—more than some higher-performing county peers—suggesting that funding alone isn't the answer. For parents, the most urgent concerns are the declining math scores across grade levels and the school's overall downward trajectory, which point to a need for targeted academic interventions.