Summary:
Zip code 35674 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, is home to four elementary schools serving grades PK-6 with a combined enrollment of roughly 1,418 students across the Colbert County and Tuscumbia City districts.
For parents, the standout choice is New Bethel Elementary School, which earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the 94th percentile statewide—a remarkable feat given its district only rates 2 stars. It leads every academic measure, with 74.8% math proficiency and 84.8% English proficiency, far exceeding the state averages of roughly 42% and 64.6%, respectively. Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 7.1%, the lowest in the group, and it also has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate at 43.4%, while spending the most per student at $11,103. In contrast, Colbert Heights Elementary School trails with 43.6% math and 64.8% English proficiency, the highest absenteeism at 20.7%, and the lowest spending at $8,666. R E Thompson Intermediate School sits in the middle, showing steady improvement from the 52nd to 64th percentile, with 50.1% math and 67.6% English proficiency, though its 20.3% absenteeism mirrors Colbert Heights. G W Trenholm Primary School serves only PK-2 and has no test scores, but its 16.3% absenteeism rate is a concern for such young students.
The data reveals a clear pattern: attendance and spending correlate strongly with achievement. New Bethel’s 13-point absenteeism advantage over the other schools likely drives much of its success, while its higher per-student funding suggests resource allocation matters more than district policies. All schools maintain similar student-teacher ratios (14.5:1 to 15.1:1) and comparable socioeconomic profiles, making New Bethel’s exceptional performance—including an 88.89% science proficiency rate—stand out as a model for the area. Parents should note that while Tuscumbia City schools generally outperform Colbert County schools, New Bethel defies its district’s low rating, proving that school-level culture can overcome broader challenges.
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