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Brilliant School

Summary:

Brilliant School is an alternative public school in Brilliant, AL, serving grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of 255 students. The school is part of the Marion County School District, which is ranked 73 out of 137 districts in Alabama and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Brilliant School faces several key challenges, including a significantly higher percentage of white students (96.08%) compared to the state average (around 50%), and consistently lower test scores than the state and county averages, particularly in middle and high school math. The school also has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 60.98% to 77.65% over the past three school years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. While Brilliant School's spending per student is higher than the state average, it is lower than the nearby Hubbertville School, which has better test scores and a lower student-teacher ratio.

The lack of racial diversity and persistent academic challenges at Brilliant School suggest that the school is struggling to provide effective instruction and support for its students. Addressing these issues will be crucial for the school to improve and provide a high-quality education for its students. The high level of economic disadvantage among the student population may also present additional challenges in terms of providing resources and support to meet the needs of these students.


Detail:

Public, Alternative PK, KG-12

 10180 State Highway 129
       Brilliant, AL  35548

(205) 465-2323

District: Marion County

SchoolDigger Rank:
371st of 684 Alabama Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,628 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  255

Racial breakdown:

White:
96.1%
Hispanic:
1.6%
African American:
1.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  77.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Brilliant School ranks worse than 54.2% of elementary schools in Alabama. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 47.57. (See more...)
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Compare Details Brilliant School ranks worse than 53.8% of middle schools in Alabama. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 44.45. (See more...)
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Compare Details Brilliant School ranks worse than 71.2% of high schools in Alabama. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 28.87. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (96.1%), Hispanic (1.6%), Asian (1.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 77.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Brilliant School is 15.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Brilliant School employs 16 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Brilliant School is $11,628.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Brilliant School:

SchoolDigger ranks Brilliant School 371st of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See Brilliant School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Brilliant School 238th of 442 Alabama public middle schools. (See Brilliant School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Brilliant School 269th of 378 Alabama public high schools. (See Brilliant School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Marion County:

SchoolDigger ranks Marion County 73rd of 137 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Brilliant School?

Rank History for Brilliant School

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 40.92 403rd 623 35.3%
2005 70.92 163rd 688 76.3%
2006 49.50 373rd 689 45.9%
2007 61.92 267th 698 61.7%
2008 47.68 407th 698 41.7%
2009 36.79 521st 696 25.1%
2010 42.26 500th 704 29.0%
2011 53.39 400th 709 43.6%
2012 63.13 282nd 696 59.5%
2013 66.35 230th 696 67.0%
2014 54.76 310th 695 55.4%
2015 74.37 150th 691 78.3%
2016 70.32 171st 691 75.3%
2017 63.92 223rd 688 67.6%
2018 74.76 160th 680 76.5%
2019 71.54 164th 681 75.9%
2021 67.35 205th 692 70.4%
2022 77.24 134th 687 80.5%
2023 60.94 251st 680 63.1%
2024 47.57 371st 684 45.8%
See the entire list of Alabama Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 87.41 42nd 651 93.5%
2019 86.48 40th 649 93.8%
2021 73.66 116th 653 82.2%
2022 84.37 51st 651 92.2%
2024 33.88 467th 670 30.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 76.11 118th 639 81.5%
2018 74.85 139th 640 78.3%
2019 83.16 77th 646 88.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 59.61 251st 639 60.7%
2019 67.48 187th 650 71.2%
2021 83.11 80th 669 88.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 17.47 331st 369 10.3%
2018 50.79 248th 508 51.2%
2019 52.39 232nd 529 56.1%
2021 47.54 266th 539 50.6%
2022 53.75 228th 540 57.8%
2023 38.37 340th 528 35.6%
2024 27.49 431st 535 19.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Brilliant School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 46.47 246th 437 43.7%
2021 32.88 304th 440 30.9%
2022 40.57 256th 432 40.7%
2023 43.55 244th 437 44.2%
2024 44.45 238th 442 46.2%
See the entire list of Alabama Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 52.59 183rd 396 53.8%
2021 41.06 244th 415 41.2%
2022 57.20 149th 421 64.6%
2024 52.48 186th 437 57.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 59.01 146th 399 63.4%
2021 20.13 341st 415 17.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 46.04 219th 399 45.1%
2021 32.50 293rd 418 29.9%
2022 39.82 253rd 427 40.7%
2024 58.51 148th 428 65.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 30.89 254th 343 25.9%
2021 23.92 304th 369 17.6%
2022 27.92 282nd 376 25.0%
2023 29.56 269th 370 27.3%
2024 26.99 289th 373 22.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Brilliant School

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Rank History for all high school students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 23.32 280th 366 23.5%
2021 43.31 196th 371 47.2%
2022 26.00 278th 367 24.3%
2023 8.85 362nd 371 2.4%
2024 28.87 269th 378 28.8%
See the entire list of Alabama Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 22.45 294th 361 18.6%
2024 25.55 287th 375 23.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 37.92 213th 367 42.0%
2024 40.50 206th 366 43.7%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 47.79 174th 366 52.5%
2023 6.99 357th 358 0.3%
2024 16.17 318th 368 13.6%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Brilliant School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 10.76 290th 313 7.3%
2021 28.79 223rd 319 30.1%
2022 14.79 299th 326 8.3%
2023 4.79 315th 317 0.6%
2024 21.23 276th 325 15.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative 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.

Brilliant School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Alabama State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a teacher
Friday, February 10, 2017

Open Quote Teachers care about students and strive to encourage a global outlook within students despite a demographically rural environment . Close Quote



Enrollment information for Brilliant 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 278 278
1989 265 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 265
1990 231 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 231
1991 236 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 236
1992 228 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 230
1993 217 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 219
1994 238 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 240
1995 256 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 257
1996 256 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 257
1997 249 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 249
1998 252 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 253
1999 259 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 261
2000 272 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 273
2001 251 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 252
2002 230 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 231
2003 230 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 231
2004 235 0 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 239
2005 217 0 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 222
2006 222 2 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 226
2007 204 2 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 210
2008 202 1 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 206
2009 181 0 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 184
2010 190 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 192
2011 184 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 189
2012 152 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 157
2013 157 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 161
2014 152 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 156
2015 161 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 165
2016 148 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 152
2017 155 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 159
2018 131 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 133
2019 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0
2020 244 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 247
2021 241 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 245
2022 258 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 264
2023 245 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 255

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 Brilliant School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 278 13.0 21.3 0
1989 265 13.0 20.3 n/a
1990 231 13.0 17.7 0
1991 236 13.0 18.1 n/a
1992 230 13.0 17.6 n/a
1993 219 12.0 18.3 n/a
1994 240 12.0 20.0 n/a
1995 257 12.8 20.1 n/a
1996 257 12.8 20.1 n/a
1997 249 14.6 17.1 31.3
1998 253 16.4 15.4 34.8
1999 261 18.0 14.5 52.5
2000 273 20.0 13.7 54.2
2001 252 19.0 13.3 53.6
2002 231 16.5 14.0 57.6
2003 231 16.5 14.0 57.6
2004 239 17.0 14.1 61.5
2005 222 18.0 12.3 52.3
2006 226 17.0 13.3 42.9
2007 210 17.0 12.4 45.2
2008 206 18.5 11.1 55.3
2009 184 14.8 12.3 60.3
2010 192 13.0 14.7 57.8
2011 189 13.5 14.0 58.7
2012 157 10.0 15.7 62.4
2013 161 12.0 13.4 64.6
2014 156 10.0 15.6 68.6
2015 165 10.0 16.5 59.4
2016 152 8.0 19.0 76.3
2017 159 10.0 15.9 83.6
2018 133 11.5 11.5 84.2
2019 0 8.2 0.0 n/a
2020 247 15.5 15.9 61.5
2021 245 17.0 14.4 63.3
2022 264 17.0 15.5 61
2023 255 16.0 15.9 77.6

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 Brilliant School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 278 13.0 21.3 0
1989 265 13.0 20.3 n/a
1990 231 13.0 17.7 0
1991 236 13.0 18.1 n/a
1992 230 13.0 17.6 n/a
1993 219 12.0 18.3 n/a
1994 240 12.0 20.0 n/a
1995 257 12.8 20.1 n/a
1996 257 12.8 20.1 n/a
1997 249 14.6 17.1 31.3
1998 253 16.4 15.4 34.8
1999 261 18.0 14.5 52.5
2000 273 20.0 13.7 54.2
2001 252 19.0 13.3 53.6
2002 231 16.5 14.0 57.6
2003 231 16.5 14.0 57.6
2004 239 17.0 14.1 61.5
2005 222 18.0 12.3 52.3
2006 226 17.0 13.3 42.9
2007 210 17.0 12.4 45.2
2008 206 18.5 11.1 55.3
2009 184 14.8 12.3 60.3
2010 192 13.0 14.7 57.8
2011 189 13.5 14.0 58.7
2012 157 10.0 15.7 62.4
2013 161 12.0 13.4 64.6
2014 156 10.0 15.6 68.6
2015 165 10.0 16.5 59.4
2016 152 8.0 19.0 76.3
2017 159 10.0 15.9 83.6
2018 133 11.5 11.5 84.2
2019 0 8.2 0.0 n/a
2020 247 15.5 15.9 61.5
2021 245 17.0 14.4 63.3
2022 264 17.0 15.5 61
2023 255 16.0 15.9 77.6

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 Brilliant School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,948 (16.8%) $9,662 (83.1%) $11,628

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Brilliant 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 164th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 251st of 680 Elementary schools
 12.8%
Ranks 246th of 437 Middle schoolsRanks 244th of 437 Middle schools
 0.5%
Ranks 280th of 366 High schoolsRanks 362nd of 371 High schools
 21.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Brilliant School)84.640.9
 43.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Marion County)67.453.7
 13.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Brilliant School)6427.3
 36.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Marion County)55.352.1
 3.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Brilliant School)43.830.8
 13%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Marion County)5030.8
 19.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Brilliant School)60.733.3
 27.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Marion County)5025
 25%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)45.330.8
 14.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Brilliant School)41.20
 41.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Marion County)36.417.4
 19%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)43.121
 22.1%
8th Grade Mathematics (Brilliant School)34.80
 34.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Marion County)43.621.8
 21.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.721.1
 23.6%
End of Course Mathematics (Brilliant School)26.79.1
 17.6%
   End of Course Mathematics (Marion County)4310.6
 32.4%
   End of Course Mathematics (Alabama)42.523.6
 19%
End of Course Science (Brilliant School)26.718.2
 8.5%
   End of Course Science (Marion County)4322
 20.9%
   End of Course Science (Alabama)42.631.7
 10.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students0255
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients∞77.6%

Schools Near Brilliant School








Frequently Asked Questions about Brilliant School

Brilliant School ranks 371st of 684 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 255 students attended Brilliant School.

Students at Brilliant School are 96% White, 2% Hispanic, 1% African American, 1% Asian.


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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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