Summary:
Zip code 35475 in Northport, Alabama, is served by two public high schools—Tuscaloosa County High School and Northside High School—both part of the Tuscaloosa County district and serving grades 9-12 with a combined enrollment of 2,142 students.
These two schools offer vastly different educational experiences despite being in the same district. Northside High School is the clear standout, ranking 29th in the state (92nd percentile) with a 98.8% graduation rate and proficiency rates well above state averages in math (44% vs. 27%), science (59% vs. 36%), and English (47% vs. 34%). It has also shown remarkable improvement, jumping 157 spots in state rankings over two years. In contrast, Tuscaloosa County High School ranks 169th (56th percentile), with a 89.7% graduation rate and proficiency rates below state averages in every subject—most notably math, where only 19% of students are proficient compared to Northside's 44%. The larger school serves about three times as many students and has a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (47% vs. 38% free/reduced lunch).
Both schools face challenges with chronic absenteeism, which runs well above the state average of 12%—at 17.5% for Northside and 20.1% for Tuscaloosa County High School. Per-student spending also differs, with Northside receiving about $1,163 more per student. For parents in this zip code, the choice between these two public schools could significantly impact academic outcomes, with Northside demonstrating that high achievement is possible even within a district that ranks in the bottom 37% of Alabama. The dramatic gap in test scores and graduation rates suggests school-level leadership and targeted interventions are making a real difference at Northside.
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