Summary:
The city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama is home to 4 middle schools serving grades 6-8. These schools vary significantly in their academic performance, student demographics, and funding levels, with Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle standing out as the clear standout in the area.
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle consistently ranks among the top middle schools in the state, with a statewide ranking of 4th out of 442 middle schools and a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's students significantly outperform their peers in Tuscaloosa City and the state of Tuscaloosa County on standardized tests, with over 80% of students scoring proficient or better in math, English, and science. In contrast, other middle schools in the area, such as Westlawn Middle School, struggle with single-digit proficiency rates.
The disparities in academic performance are closely tied to differences in student demographics and funding levels across the Tuscaloosa middle schools. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle has a more diverse student body and significantly higher per-student funding compared to the other schools, which tend to serve higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students. These findings highlight the need to address educational inequities and ensure all students in Tuscaloosa have access to high-quality middle school opportunities.
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