Summary:
Zip code 35404 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is home to just one middle school, Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle, which serves grades 6 through 8 with a small enrollment of 173 students within the Tuscaloosa City school district.
This school is a true standout, consistently ranking among the top 10 middle schools in the entire state. Over the past three years, it has placed 5th, 9th, and 4th out of more than 440 Alabama middle schools, earning a 5-star rating each year. Academically, it dramatically outperforms both its district and state averages in every subject and grade level. For example, 8th-grade science proficiency is 89.8%, compared to 48.3% for the district and 54.1% for the state. In English, proficiency rates range from 89.7% to 94.9% across grades, while math proficiency ranges from 50% to 80%, with 6th and 8th graders showing significant year-over-year improvement. The school also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 1.7%, far below the district's 11.1% and the state's 12.0%.
With a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 and per-student spending of $12,744, the school's success appears driven by its selective magnet model and strong school culture rather than extraordinary resources. About 30.1% of students receive free or reduced lunch, indicating a more advantaged population than the district average. While this selective admissions approach may not be scalable to all students, it clearly creates an optimal learning environment for those who attend. For parents in this zip code, Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle represents an elite educational opportunity with exceptional academics, outstanding attendance, and a small, focused atmosphere that delivers top-tier results.
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