Leighton Elementary School

Summary:

Leighton Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-6 in Leighton, Alabama, part of the Colbert County school district. With 355 students, the school has a diverse racial makeup, but its academic performance consistently lags behind the county and state averages.

Leighton Elementary consistently underperforms on standardized tests, with proficiency rates in Mathematics and English Language Arts significantly lower than the Colbert County and Alabama state averages across all grade levels. The school has a low statewide ranking, consistently placing in the bottom half of Alabama elementary schools, and maintains a 1- or 2-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating below-average performance. Particularly concerning is the school's performance for its African American and special education student populations, which rank in the bottom quartile and half of the state, respectively.

Compared to nearby schools in the Colbert County district, such as Colbert Heights Elementary and Hatton Elementary, Leighton Elementary's academic performance is significantly lower, despite having a higher percentage of low-income students and higher per-student spending. These disparities suggest the need for a comprehensive review of the school's educational practices and resource allocation to address the challenges facing its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 8100 Old Highway 20
       Leighton, AL  35646


(256) 446-8351

District: Colbert County

SchoolDigger Rank:
421st of 684 Alabama Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,176 Help


Students who attend Leighton Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Colbert County High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  355

Racial breakdown:

White:
66.5%
African American:
16.3%
Hispanic:
10.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  47.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Leighton Elementary School ranks worse than 61.5% of elementary schools in Alabama. It also ranks last among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Colbert County School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 41.41. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (66.5%), African American (16.3%), Hispanic (10.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 47.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Leighton Elementary School is 14.4. 2 elementary schools in the Colbert County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Leighton Elementary School employs 24.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Leighton Elementary School is $12,176, which is the 2nd highest among 5 elementary schools in the Colbert County School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Leighton Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Leighton Elementary School 421st of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See Leighton Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Colbert County:

SchoolDigger ranks Colbert County 84th of 137 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Leighton Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Leighton Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 41.01 402nd 623 35.5%
2005 37.23 497th 688 27.8%
2006 37.11 495th 689 28.2%
2007 41.56 467th 698 33.1%
2008 57.24 304th 698 56.4%
2009 48.91 406th 696 41.7%
2010 68.40 202nd 704 71.3%
2011 61.19 309th 709 56.4%
2012 64.85 261st 696 62.5%
2013 58.90 334th 696 52.0%
2014 45.63 393rd 695 43.5%
2015 39.58 426th 691 38.4%
2016 39.74 430th 691 37.8%
2017 40.23 434th 688 36.9%
2018 36.49 449th 680 34.0%
2019 18.14 567th 681 16.7%
2021 23.68 520th 692 24.9%
2022 21.33 536th 687 22.0%
2023 44.77 383rd 680 43.7%
2024 41.41 421st 684 38.5%
See the entire list of Alabama Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Leighton Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.60 250th 344 27.3%
2019 18.63 363rd 392 7.4%
2021 35.14 270th 398 32.2%
2022 30.71 249th 345 27.8%
2023 50.79 148th 373 60.3%
2024 60.59 120th 395 69.6%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Leighton Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.47 447th 651 31.3%
2019 19.02 571st 649 12.0%
2021 24.68 508th 653 22.2%
2022 28.74 488th 651 25.0%
2023 65.16 192nd 623 69.2%
2024 51.87 335th 670 50.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Leighton Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 40.51 399th 639 37.6%
2018 42.87 397th 640 38.0%
2019 18.82 543rd 646 15.9%
2021 21.73 516th 656 21.3%
2022 22.43 515th 656 21.5%
2023 36.17 417th 645 35.3%
2024 38.59 418th 650 35.7%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Leighton Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 38.81 410th 639 35.8%
2018 32.74 454th 650 30.2%
2019 21.00 528th 650 18.8%
2021 27.61 480th 669 28.3%
2022 22.46 518th 669 22.6%
2023 53.60 303rd 649 53.3%
2024 42.92 394th 655 39.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Leighton Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 16.84 404th 426 5.2%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at Leighton Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 32.56 260th 369 29.5%
2018 17.87 468th 508 7.9%
2019 8.34 512th 529 3.2%
2021 14.56 501st 539 7.1%
2022 11.58 512th 540 5.2%
2023 31.17 392nd 528 25.8%
2024 29.02 420th 535 21.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Leighton Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Alabama State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Leighton Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 340 340
1989 216 125 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 342
1990 219 134 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 354
1991 192 121 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 313
1992 187 114 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 301
1993 184 133 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 317
1994 209 142 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 353
1995 288 170 0 1 2 n/a n/a 0 461
1996 288 170 0 1 2 n/a n/a 0 461
1997 341 170 0 3 2 n/a n/a 0 516
1998 334 164 0 9 2 n/a n/a 0 509
1999 356 158 0 12 2 n/a n/a 0 528
2000 340 138 0 7 3 n/a n/a 0 488
2001 305 132 0 7 2 n/a n/a 0 446
2002 271 112 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 387
2003 271 112 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 387
2004 222 106 2 14 0 n/a n/a 0 344
2005 222 109 0 10 6 n/a n/a 0 347
2006 207 108 0 11 5 n/a n/a 0 331
2007 177 106 0 15 4 n/a n/a 0 302
2008 174 96 0 16 3 n/a n/a 0 289
2009 191 87 1 15 2 n/a n/a 0 296
2010 194 75 0 24 0 n/a n/a 0 293
2011 164 63 0 30 0 1 3 0 261
2012 176 68 0 22 0 1 9 0 276
2013 177 68 0 23 0 1 12 0 281
2014 181 74 1 26 0 1 13 0 296
2015 191 73 1 29 3 1 18 0 316
2016 182 76 0 22 2 1 25 0 308
2017 210 85 1 24 4 0 15 0 339
2018 226 77 0 22 0 0 21 0 346
2019 235 74 1 26 0 0 12 0 348
2020 257 78 0 33 0 0 16 0 384
2021 227 68 0 25 0 0 22 0 342
2022 246 64 1 32 1 0 24 0 368
2023 236 58 0 36 0 0 25 0 355

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Leighton Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 340 20.0 17.0 0
1989 342 21.0 16.2 n/a
1990 354 22.0 16.0 0
1991 313 22.0 14.2 n/a
1992 301 21.0 14.3 n/a
1993 317 21.0 15.1 n/a
1994 353 23.0 15.3 n/a
1995 461 29.6 15.6 n/a
1996 461 29.6 15.6 n/a
1997 516 33.5 15.4 60.1
1998 509 32.1 15.9 59.3
1999 528 35.0 15.1 74.8
2000 488 32.0 15.3 74.2
2001 446 32.0 13.9 73.3
2002 387 28.0 13.8 76.7
2003 387 28.0 13.8 76.7
2004 344 29.0 11.9 80.5
2005 347 25.0 13.9 77.5
2006 331 23.0 14.4 74.3
2007 302 21.1 14.3 77.5
2008 289 21.7 13.3 71.3
2009 296 22.5 13.0 69.9
2010 293 19.8 14.8 71
2011 261 20.3 12.8 71.3
2012 276 21.3 12.9 76.1
2013 281 24.3 11.5 71.9
2014 296 22.3 13.2 68.2
2015 316 23.0 13.7 64.2
2016 308 24.0 12.8 68.2
2017 339 25.1 13.5 76.7
2018 346 24.4 14.1 62.1
2019 348 23.9 14.5 66.7
2020 384 23.9 16.0 67.2
2021 342 28.1 12.1 68.4
2022 368 27.4 13.4 46.7
2023 355 24.6 14.4 47.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Leighton Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 340 20.0 17.0 0
1989 342 21.0 16.2 n/a
1990 354 22.0 16.0 0
1991 313 22.0 14.2 n/a
1992 301 21.0 14.3 n/a
1993 317 21.0 15.1 n/a
1994 353 23.0 15.3 n/a
1995 461 29.6 15.6 n/a
1996 461 29.6 15.6 n/a
1997 516 33.5 15.4 60.1
1998 509 32.1 15.9 59.3
1999 528 35.0 15.1 74.8
2000 488 32.0 15.3 74.2
2001 446 32.0 13.9 73.3
2002 387 28.0 13.8 76.7
2003 387 28.0 13.8 76.7
2004 344 29.0 11.9 80.5
2005 347 25.0 13.9 77.5
2006 331 23.0 14.4 74.3
2007 302 21.1 14.3 77.5
2008 289 21.7 13.3 71.3
2009 296 22.5 13.0 69.9
2010 293 19.8 14.8 71
2011 261 20.3 12.8 71.3
2012 276 21.3 12.9 76.1
2013 281 24.3 11.5 71.9
2014 296 22.3 13.2 68.2
2015 316 23.0 13.7 64.2
2016 308 24.0 12.8 68.2
2017 339 25.1 13.5 76.7
2018 346 24.4 14.1 62.1
2019 348 23.9 14.5 66.7
2020 384 23.9 16.0 67.2
2021 342 28.1 12.1 68.4
2022 368 27.4 13.4 46.7
2023 355 24.6 14.4 47.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Leighton Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,081 (17.1%) $10,095 (82.9%) $12,176

Data source: Alabama Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Leighton Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 567th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 383rd of 680 Elementary schools
 26.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Leighton Elementary School)37.833.3
 4.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Colbert County)46.141.4
 4.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Leighton Elementary School)27.837.2
 9.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Colbert County)39.847.4
 7.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Leighton Elementary School)3032.6
 2.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Colbert County)38.544.3
 5.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Leighton Elementary School)37.816.3
 21.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Colbert County)38.717.9
 20.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)45.330.8
 14.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students348355
 2%
African American7458
 21.6%
American Indian00
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic2636
 38.5%
Pacific Islander00
White235236
 0.4%
Two or More Races1225
 108.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients66.7%47.3%
 19.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Leighton Elementary School

Students at Leighton Elementary School are 66% White, 16% African American, 10% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races.

Leighton Elementary School ranks 421st of 684 Alabama elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Leighton Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Colbert County High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 355 students attended Leighton Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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