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Arcadia Elementary School

Summary:

Arcadia Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, serving around 440 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Tuscaloosa City School District, which is ranked 86 out of 137 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Arcadia Elementary faces several challenges, including a significantly higher percentage of African American students (72.5%) compared to nearby schools, lower academic performance on state assessments, and consistently ranking in the bottom 25-30% of Alabama elementary schools over the past several years. While the school's African American and Hispanic student subgroups perform relatively better compared to state averages, the overall academic outcomes at Arcadia are lower than the Rock Quarry Elementary, Verner Elementary, and Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary, which significantly outperform Arcadia in proficiency rates and state rankings.

Despite having a higher per-student spending of $11,471 in 2018-2019 and a lower student-teacher ratio of 16.2 in 2022-2023 compared to nearby schools, Arcadia's academic performance remains a concern. This suggests that factors beyond funding and class size, such as instructional practices and resource allocation, may be contributing to the school's underperformance. Identifying and addressing the root causes of Arcadia's challenges could lead to significant improvements in the school's academic outcomes.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 3740 Arcadia Drive
       Tuscaloosa, AL  35404-4395

(205) 759-3567

District: Tuscaloosa City

SchoolDigger Rank:
362nd of 684 Alabama Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,471 Help


Students who attend Arcadia Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Eastwood Middle School
High:    Paul W Bryant High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.1 Help
Number of students:  420

Racial breakdown:

African American:
72.1%
Hispanic:
13.3%
White:
9.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  52.6% Help


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 Compare Arcadia Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Arcadia Elementary School ranks worse than 52.9% of elementary schools in Alabama. It also ranks 4th among 12 ranked elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.42. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (72.1%), Hispanic (13.3%), White (9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 52.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Arcadia Elementary School is 16.1, which is the 5th best among 12 elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa City School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Arcadia Elementary School employs 26 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Arcadia Elementary School is $11,471, which is the 6th highest among 12 elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa City School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Arcadia Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Arcadia Elementary School 362nd of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See Arcadia Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Tuscaloosa City:

SchoolDigger ranks Tuscaloosa City 86th of 137 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Arcadia Elementary School?

Rank History for Arcadia Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Arcadia Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 73.51 126th 623 79.8%
2005 59.16 274th 688 60.2%
2006 45.02 417th 689 39.5%
2007 59.42 306th 698 56.2%
2008 53.87 340th 698 51.3%
2009 62.72 252nd 696 63.8%
2010 47.37 447th 704 36.5%
2011 53.93 394th 709 44.4%
2012 50.54 430th 696 38.2%
2013 42.29 502nd 696 27.9%
2014 51.43 343rd 695 50.6%
2015 32.39 490th 691 29.1%
2016 51.47 333rd 691 51.8%
2017 32.68 484th 688 29.7%
2018 44.53 412th 680 39.4%
2019 27.49 501st 681 26.4%
2021 22.03 535th 692 22.7%
2022 20.10 545th 687 20.7%
2023 30.83 479th 680 29.6%
2024 48.42 362nd 684 47.1%
See the entire list of Alabama Elementary School Rankings!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 41.55 364th 567 35.8%
2018 26.99 507th 651 22.1%
2019 31.67 470th 649 27.6%
2021 17.39 568th 653 13.0%
2022 20.16 544th 651 16.4%
2023 32.22 443rd 623 28.9%
2024 55.27 293rd 670 56.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Arcadia Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 32.01 466th 639 27.1%
2018 50.14 343rd 640 46.4%
2019 42.28 409th 646 36.7%
2021 32.35 452nd 656 31.1%
2022 30.78 462nd 656 29.6%
2023 37.70 409th 645 36.6%
2024 61.79 231st 650 64.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Arcadia Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 31.97 446th 639 30.2%
2018 40.75 423rd 650 34.9%
2019 15.20 575th 650 11.5%
2021 13.95 586th 669 12.4%
2022 14.91 577th 669 13.8%
2023 28.31 473rd 649 27.1%
2024 35.57 437th 655 33.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Arcadia Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 40.21 195th 336 42.0%
2018 52.37 185th 423 56.3%
2019 36.61 280th 426 34.3%
2021 35.53 268th 426 37.1%
2022 27.83 324th 426 23.9%
2023 39.85 245th 427 42.6%
2024 60.34 129th 420 69.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Arcadia Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 64.25 53rd 184 71.2%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Arcadia Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 75.40 12th 57 78.9%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Arcadia Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 29.80 276th 369 25.2%
2018 66.50 151st 508 70.3%
2019 36.32 364th 529 31.2%
2021 25.13 431st 539 20.0%
2024 91.35 31st 535 94.2%
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.

Arcadia Elementary 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: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Open Quote This is a great school with fantastic staff and administration! It is really the best elementary school in the entire city. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Arcadia 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 389 389
1989 276 129 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 407
1990 241 124 2 0 1 n/a n/a 0 368
1991 259 118 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 378
1992 253 117 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 377
1993 244 107 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 352
1994 248 113 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 363
1995 253 127 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 385
1996 253 127 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 385
1997 239 149 2 7 0 n/a n/a 0 397
1998 228 178 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 410
1999 201 256 1 7 0 n/a n/a 1 466
2000 196 141 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 338
2001 190 143 2 5 0 n/a n/a 0 340
2002 163 178 1 9 3 n/a n/a 0 354
2003 163 178 1 9 3 n/a n/a 0 354
2004 158 185 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 351
2005 160 188 1 11 1 n/a n/a 0 361
2006 176 191 4 21 0 n/a n/a 0 392
2007 157 205 2 27 0 n/a n/a 0 391
2008 144 220 3 27 0 n/a n/a 0 394
2009 129 217 6 28 0 n/a n/a 0 380
2010 108 187 5 41 0 n/a n/a 0 341
2011 105 177 4 48 0 0 0 0 334
2012 112 198 9 36 0 0 0 0 355
2013 91 185 6 50 0 0 1 0 333
2014 83 169 5 64 0 0 5 0 326
2015 80 196 1 50 0 0 12 0 339
2016 89 192 1 36 2 6 8 0 334
2017 88 176 1 31 4 6 3 0 309
2018 94 170 5 24 8 2 7 0 310
2019 83 299 6 43 5 4 7 0 447
2020 73 302 3 52 6 3 3 0 442
2021 68 270 3 49 4 3 6 0 403
2022 65 288 2 54 6 2 6 1 424
2023 53 319 5 48 4 2 9 0 440
2024 38 303 8 56 4 0 11 0 420

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 Arcadia Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 389 17.5 22.2 0
1989 407 19.5 20.8 n/a
1990 368 21.0 17.5 0
1991 378 20.0 18.9 n/a
1992 377 19.0 19.8 n/a
1993 352 21.0 16.8 n/a
1994 363 22.8 15.9 n/a
1995 385 24.0 16.0 n/a
1996 385 24.0 16.0 n/a
1997 397 25.0 15.9 39.5
1998 410 28.0 14.6 34.4
1999 466 27.0 17.3 44.9
2000 338 22.0 15.4 25.4
2001 340 21.0 16.2 34.1
2002 354 24.4 14.5 43.5
2003 354 24.4 14.5 43.5
2004 351 23.5 14.9 45.3
2005 361 24.0 15.0 48.8
2006 392 24.0 16.3 49.2
2007 391 24.3 16.1 51.2
2008 394 24.8 15.9 50
2009 380 24.5 15.4 53.9
2010 341 22.5 15.1 56
2011 334 22.9 14.5 62.9
2012 355 24.3 14.5 60.3
2013 333 25.6 12.9 64.6
2014 326 26.1 12.4 55.2
2015 339 22.0 15.4 32.7
2016 334 19.0 17.5 36.8
2017 309 18.4 16.7 37.9
2018 310 18.8 16.4 53.5
2019 447 29.8 15.0 56.6
2020 442 30.3 14.5 53.4
2021 403 26.0 15.5 53.1
2022 424 25.0 16.9 52.1
2023 440 27.0 16.2 52.3
2024 420 26.0 16.1 52.6

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 Arcadia Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 389 17.5 22.2 0
1989 407 19.5 20.8 n/a
1990 368 21.0 17.5 0
1991 378 20.0 18.9 n/a
1992 377 19.0 19.8 n/a
1993 352 21.0 16.8 n/a
1994 363 22.8 15.9 n/a
1995 385 24.0 16.0 n/a
1996 385 24.0 16.0 n/a
1997 397 25.0 15.9 39.5
1998 410 28.0 14.6 34.4
1999 466 27.0 17.3 44.9
2000 338 22.0 15.4 25.4
2001 340 21.0 16.2 34.1
2002 354 24.4 14.5 43.5
2003 354 24.4 14.5 43.5
2004 351 23.5 14.9 45.3
2005 361 24.0 15.0 48.8
2006 392 24.0 16.3 49.2
2007 391 24.3 16.1 51.2
2008 394 24.8 15.9 50
2009 380 24.5 15.4 53.9
2010 341 22.5 15.1 56
2011 334 22.9 14.5 62.9
2012 355 24.3 14.5 60.3
2013 333 25.6 12.9 64.6
2014 326 26.1 12.4 55.2
2015 339 22.0 15.4 32.7
2016 334 19.0 17.5 36.8
2017 309 18.4 16.7 37.9
2018 310 18.8 16.4 53.5
2019 447 29.8 15.0 56.6
2020 442 30.3 14.5 53.4
2021 403 26.0 15.5 53.1
2022 424 25.0 16.9 52.1
2023 440 27.0 16.2 52.3
2024 420 26.0 16.1 52.6

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 Arcadia Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,696 (14.8%) $9,755 (85.0%) $11,471

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Arcadia 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 501st of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 479th of 680 Elementary schools
 3.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Arcadia Elementary School)25.949.1
 23.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Tuscaloosa City)51.235.7
 15.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Arcadia Elementary School)27.923.7
 4.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Tuscaloosa City)42.825.7
 17.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Arcadia Elementary School)48.412.1
 36.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Tuscaloosa City)43.528.8
 14.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students447440
 1.6%
African American299319
 6.7%
American Indian54
 20%
Asian65
 16.7%
Hispanic4348
 11.6%
Pacific Islander42
 50%
White8353
 36.1%
Two or More Races79
 28.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients56.6%52.3%
 4.3%

Schools Near Arcadia Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Arcadia Elementary School

Students at Arcadia Elementary School are 72% African American, 13% Hispanic, 9% White, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 420 students attended Arcadia Elementary School.

Arcadia Elementary School ranks 362nd of 684 Alabama elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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

Middle : Eastwood Middle School
High : Paul W Bryant High 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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