Central Elementary School

Summary:

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, serving 297 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.

Central Elementary School faces significant challenges compared to nearby schools. The school has a much higher percentage of African American students (84.18%) than surrounding schools, and it consistently underperforms on standardized tests, with only 31.71% of 3rd graders proficient in math, compared to 39.88% in the Tuscaloosa City district and 42.16% statewide. The school ranks in the bottom quartile of Alabama elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Performance is particularly low for male students, African American students, and students from low-income backgrounds, with these subgroups ranking in the bottom quartile of the state.

In contrast, nearby schools like Verner Elementary and Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary have significantly higher academic performance and state rankings, despite being in the same school district. This suggests that factors beyond just district-level policies and resources may be contributing to the disparities in student outcomes at Central Elementary. The high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, over 85%, indicates that socioeconomic factors may be playing a significant role in the challenges faced by the school.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1510 Dinah Washington Ave
       Tuscaloosa, AL  35401-4213


(205) 759-3570

District: Tuscaloosa City

SchoolDigger Rank:
593rd of 684 Alabama Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,176 Help


Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Westlawn Middle School
High:    Central High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.4 Help
Number of students:  297

Racial breakdown:

African American:
84.2%
Hispanic:
14.1%
White:
1.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  85.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Central Elementary School ranks worse than 86.7% of elementary schools in Alabama. It also ranks 11th 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 13.53. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (84.2%), Hispanic (14.1%), White (1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 85.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 13.4, which is the lowest among 12 elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa City School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Central Elementary School employs 22 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Elementary School is $11,176. 8 elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa City School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Central Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Central Elementary School 593rd of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See Central 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:


Tuscaloosa City:

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


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Rank History for Central Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 15.23 575th 623 7.7%
2005 12.62 657th 688 4.5%
2012 26.45 593rd 696 14.8%
2013 26.93 609th 696 12.5%
2014 10.96 656th 695 5.6%
2015 13.77 625th 691 9.6%
2016 14.28 609th 691 11.9%
2017 21.07 563rd 688 18.2%
2018 11.88 615th 680 9.6%
2019 15.03 596th 681 12.5%
2021 12.99 612th 692 11.6%
2022 7.68 676th 687 1.6%
2023 9.27 641st 680 5.7%
2024 13.53 593rd 684 13.3%
See the entire list of Alabama Elementary School Rankings!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 26.36 453rd 567 20.1%
2018 23.10 534th 651 18.0%
2019 18.63 572nd 649 11.9%
2021 15.06 590th 653 9.6%
2022 8.85 641st 651 1.5%
2023 13.26 582nd 623 6.6%
2024 18.14 564th 670 15.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 21.61 522nd 639 18.3%
2018 12.14 585th 640 8.6%
2019 9.49 618th 646 4.3%
2021 14.87 582nd 656 11.3%
2022 9.63 628th 656 4.3%
2023 20.12 522nd 645 19.1%
2024 21.68 520th 650 20.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 24.75 493rd 639 22.8%
2018 14.83 577th 650 11.2%
2019 20.75 531st 650 18.3%
2021 12.30 613th 669 8.4%
2022 6.92 666th 669 0.4%
2023 6.60 637th 649 1.8%
2024 10.67 607th 655 7.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.65 331st 423 21.7%
2019 26.87 350th 426 17.8%
2021 22.33 369th 426 13.4%
2022 15.63 414th 426 2.8%
2023 20.32 375th 427 12.2%
2024 32.30 300th 420 28.6%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 26.79 145th 184 21.2%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 30.68 41st 57 28.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Native American 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.

Central 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 Central Elementary School

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Compare
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 190 190
1989 0 172 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 173
1990 34 142 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 176
1991 0 138 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 138
1992 0 126 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 126
1993 0 153 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 153
1994 0 196 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 196
1995 96 149 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 247
1996 96 149 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 247
1997 97 166 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 268
1998 86 202 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 292
1999 73 197 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 275
2000 63 191 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 258
2001 47 192 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 243
2002 21 267 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 291
2003 21 267 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 291
2004 1 316 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 319
2005 1 260 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 262
2006 0 257 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 257
2007 0 267 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 267
2008 2 293 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 299
2009 4 285 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 293
2010 0 247 4 5 0 n/a n/a 1 257
2011 0 323 0 1 0 0 0 0 324
2012 0 269 0 3 0 0 1 0 273
2013 0 323 0 2 0 0 2 0 327
2014 0 342 0 3 3 0 2 0 350
2015 0 346 0 5 2 0 2 0 355
2016 0 360 0 6 1 0 3 0 370
2017 0 288 0 9 1 0 0 0 298
2018 0 325 0 14 1 0 0 0 340
2019 1 322 0 16 0 0 0 0 339
2020 1 326 0 25 0 0 0 0 352
2021 3 283 0 28 0 0 2 0 316
2022 1 269 0 40 0 0 0 0 310
2023 3 250 1 42 0 0 1 0 297

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 Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 190 8.5 22.3 0
1989 173 9.5 18.2 n/a
1990 176 14.0 12.5 0
1991 138 9.0 15.3 n/a
1992 126 9.0 14.0 n/a
1993 153 9.0 17.0 n/a
1994 196 16.0 12.3 n/a
1995 247 26.0 9.5 n/a
1996 247 26.0 9.5 n/a
1997 268 24.0 11.2 54.5
1998 292 27.0 10.8 59.9
1999 275 26.0 10.6 68.7
2000 258 25.0 10.3 60.5
2001 243 21.5 11.3 76.1
2002 291 27.0 10.8 89.7
2003 291 27.0 10.8 89.7
2004 319 24.3 13.1 90.6
2005 262 30.0 8.7 84
2006 257 23.0 11.2 95.7
2007 267 21.3 12.5 91.8
2008 299 23.8 12.6 92.6
2009 293 22.5 12.9 80.2
2010 257 17.5 14.6 78.5
2011 324 26.3 12.3 81.8
2012 273 21.9 12.4 87.5
2013 327 25.3 12.9 89
2014 350 25.8 13.5 84.6
2015 355 23.0 15.4 71.3
2016 370 23.0 16.0 74.3
2017 298 21.8 13.6 81.5
2018 340 21.8 15.5 89.4
2019 339 19.8 17.1 89.7
2020 352 23.0 15.2 84.4
2021 316 21.0 14.9 86.7
2022 310 21.0 14.7 82.6
2023 297 22.0 13.4 85.2

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 Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 190 8.5 22.3 0
1989 173 9.5 18.2 n/a
1990 176 14.0 12.5 0
1991 138 9.0 15.3 n/a
1992 126 9.0 14.0 n/a
1993 153 9.0 17.0 n/a
1994 196 16.0 12.3 n/a
1995 247 26.0 9.5 n/a
1996 247 26.0 9.5 n/a
1997 268 24.0 11.2 54.5
1998 292 27.0 10.8 59.9
1999 275 26.0 10.6 68.7
2000 258 25.0 10.3 60.5
2001 243 21.5 11.3 76.1
2002 291 27.0 10.8 89.7
2003 291 27.0 10.8 89.7
2004 319 24.3 13.1 90.6
2005 262 30.0 8.7 84
2006 257 23.0 11.2 95.7
2007 267 21.3 12.5 91.8
2008 299 23.8 12.6 92.6
2009 293 22.5 12.9 80.2
2010 257 17.5 14.6 78.5
2011 324 26.3 12.3 81.8
2012 273 21.9 12.4 87.5
2013 327 25.3 12.9 89
2014 350 25.8 13.5 84.6
2015 355 23.0 15.4 71.3
2016 370 23.0 16.0 74.3
2017 298 21.8 13.6 81.5
2018 340 21.8 15.5 89.4
2019 339 19.8 17.1 89.7
2020 352 23.0 15.2 84.4
2021 316 21.0 14.9 86.7
2022 310 21.0 14.7 82.6
2023 297 22.0 13.4 85.2

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 Central Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,407 (21.5%) $8,750 (78.3%) $11,176

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Central 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 596th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 641st of 680 Elementary schools
 6.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary School)21.78.1
 13.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Tuscaloosa City)51.235.7
 15.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary School)27.58.9
 18.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Tuscaloosa City)42.825.7
 17.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary School)347.9
 26.2%
   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 Students339297
 12.4%
African American322250
 22.4%
American Indian00
Asian01
Hispanic1642
 162.5%
Pacific Islander00
White13
 200%
Two or More Races01
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients89.7%85.2%
 4.5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary School

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

Middle : Westlawn Middle School
High : Central High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 297 students attended Central Elementary School.

Students at Central Elementary School are 84% African American, 14% Hispanic, 1% White.

Central Elementary School ranks in the bottom 13.3% of Alabama elementary schools.


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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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