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Cottondale Elementary School

Summary:

Cottondale Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 459 students in grades PK-5 in Cottondale, Florida, which is part of the Jackson School District. While the school generally outperforms the district and state in test scores, it faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism rates and inconsistent school performance over the years.

Cottondale Elementary has a significantly higher percentage of white students (68.63%) compared to nearby schools like Marianna K-8 School (48.93%) and Jackson County Early Childhood Center (30.46%). In terms of test scores, the school outperforms the district and state in 3rd grade ELA, but struggles in 5th grade science. However, the school's chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 36.9% to 45.0%, are significantly higher than surrounding schools like Bonifay K-8 School (31.1%) and Kate M. Smith Elementary School (34.4%).

Cottondale Elementary's school ranking has fluctuated significantly over the years, from a 4-star rating in 2020-2021 to a 2-star rating in 2023-2024, suggesting inconsistent performance. While the school's spending per student has increased from $8,345 in 2019-2020 to $10,105 in 2022-2023, this has not translated into consistent improvements in student outcomes. By addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism and learning from the practices of higher-performing nearby schools, Cottondale Elementary may be able to improve its overall academic performance and provide a better educational experience for its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 2766 Levy St
       Cottondale, FL  32431

(850) 482-9820

District: Jackson

SchoolDigger Rank:
1144th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,105 Help


Students who attend Cottondale Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Cottondale High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.3 Help
Number of students:  459

Racial breakdown:

White:
68.6%
African American:
19.6%
Two or more races:
7.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  60.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cottondale Elementary School ranks worse than 50.7% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Jackson School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 47.95. (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 Cottondale Elementary School has the smallest elementary school student body size in the Jackson School District. Racial makeup is: White (68.6%), African American (19.6%), two or more races (7.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 60.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Jackson School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cottondale Elementary School is 14.3, which is the lowest among 3 elementary schools in the Jackson School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Cottondale Elementary School employs 32 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cottondale Elementary School is $10,105, which is the highest among 3 elementary schools in the Jackson School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Cottondale Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Jackson:

SchoolDigger ranks Jackson 40th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Cottondale Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 49.61 873rd 1688 48.3%
2007 76.61 382nd 1786 78.6%
2008 56.94 808th 1789 54.8%
2009 59.93 770th 1847 58.3%
2010 54.85 934th 1919 51.3%
2011 59.32 857th 1985 56.8%
2012 53.37 924th 1984 53.4%
2013 56.74 863rd 2029 57.5%
2014 47.51 1075th 2064 47.9%
2016 47.38 1099th 2087 47.3%
2017 75.62 483rd 2112 77.1%
2018 70.56 599th 2118 71.7%
2019 58.04 878th 2182 59.8%
2021 75.36 526th 2247 76.6%
2022 58.36 878th 2219 60.4%
2023 61.60 803rd 2240 64.2%
2024 47.95 1144th 2256 49.3%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

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





Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Cottondale 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 177 140 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 317
1989 244 104 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 348
1990 252 112 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 364
1991 252 114 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 366
1992 267 126 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 395
1993 298 130 0 9 0 n/a n/a 0 437
1994 300 127 0 12 2 n/a n/a 0 441
1995 354 126 1 14 2 n/a n/a 0 497
1996 354 126 1 14 2 n/a n/a 0 497
1997 374 131 0 10 1 n/a n/a 0 516
1998 375 131 0 7 6 n/a n/a 0 519
1999 362 130 0 11 1 n/a n/a 0 504
2000 349 122 0 11 3 n/a n/a 0 485
2001 330 120 0 18 5 n/a n/a 0 473
2002 335 102 0 15 3 n/a n/a 0 455
2003 335 102 0 15 3 n/a n/a 0 455
2004 317 104 1 16 3 n/a n/a 0 441
2005 355 94 2 17 4 n/a n/a 0 472
2006 359 97 2 6 2 n/a n/a 0 466
2007 328 96 1 7 3 n/a n/a 30 465
2008 350 108 2 12 2 n/a n/a 35 509
2009 349 98 4 11 5 n/a n/a 35 502
2010 325 85 4 15 5 n/a n/a 33 467
2011 325 82 5 20 4 1 46 0 483
2012 342 78 2 18 5 1 42 0 488
2013 321 75 2 25 3 1 33 0 460
2014 293 70 2 27 3 1 31 0 427
2015 300 73 0 28 1 0 33 0 435
2016 301 68 0 32 0 0 39 0 440
2017 273 59 0 29 0 0 35 0 396
2018 257 73 0 26 6 0 33 0 395
2019 252 78 2 26 7 0 37 0 402
2020 268 81 1 23 1 0 34 0 408
2021 288 74 1 24 3 0 35 0 425
2022 282 78 0 16 2 0 37 0 415
2023 315 90 1 16 2 0 35 0 459

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 Cottondale Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 317 22.0 14.4 71.9
1989 348 21.0 16.5 65.2
1990 364 23.0 15.8 64.3
1991 366 25.0 14.6 59.3
1992 395 25.0 15.8 55.9
1993 437 27.0 16.2 15.6
1994 441 31.0 14.2 58.7
1995 497 29.0 17.1 58.6
1996 497 29.0 17.1 58.6
1997 516 27.0 19.1 59.1
1998 519 30.0 17.3 57.8
1999 504 31.0 16.3 74.4
2000 485 28.0 17.3 75.1
2001 473 27.0 17.5 79.1
2002 455 27.0 16.9 78.2
2003 455 27.0 16.9 78.2
2004 441 26.0 17.0 76.2
2005 472 29.0 16.3 80.7
2006 466 27.0 17.3 69.3
2007 465 30.0 15.5 70.3
2008 509 31.0 16.4 75.7
2009 502 37.7 14.3 78.4
2010 467 33.0 14.1 80.6
2011 483 33.0 14.6 74.5
2012 488 33.3 14.6 76.2
2013 460 34.0 13.5 77
2014 427 34.0 12.5 81.5
2015 435 31.0 14.0 79.1
2016 440 31.0 14.1 83.4
2017 396 30.0 13.2 76
2018 395 29.0 13.6 65.6
2019 402 27.0 14.8 52.7
2020 408 27.0 15.1 60.5
2021 425 28.0 15.1 56.5
2022 415 30.0 13.8 61
2023 459 32.0 14.3 60.6

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 Cottondale Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 317 22.0 14.4 71.9
1989 348 21.0 16.5 65.2
1990 364 23.0 15.8 64.3
1991 366 25.0 14.6 59.3
1992 395 25.0 15.8 55.9
1993 437 27.0 16.2 15.6
1994 441 31.0 14.2 58.7
1995 497 29.0 17.1 58.6
1996 497 29.0 17.1 58.6
1997 516 27.0 19.1 59.1
1998 519 30.0 17.3 57.8
1999 504 31.0 16.3 74.4
2000 485 28.0 17.3 75.1
2001 473 27.0 17.5 79.1
2002 455 27.0 16.9 78.2
2003 455 27.0 16.9 78.2
2004 441 26.0 17.0 76.2
2005 472 29.0 16.3 80.7
2006 466 27.0 17.3 69.3
2007 465 30.0 15.5 70.3
2008 509 31.0 16.4 75.7
2009 502 37.7 14.3 78.4
2010 467 33.0 14.1 80.6
2011 483 33.0 14.6 74.5
2012 488 33.3 14.6 76.2
2013 460 34.0 13.5 77
2014 427 34.0 12.5 81.5
2015 435 31.0 14.0 79.1
2016 440 31.0 14.1 83.4
2017 396 30.0 13.2 76
2018 395 29.0 13.6 65.6
2019 402 27.0 14.8 52.7
2020 408 27.0 15.1 60.5
2021 425 28.0 15.1 56.5
2022 415 30.0 13.8 61
2023 459 32.0 14.3 60.6

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 Cottondale Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $784 (9.6%) $7,415 (90.4%) $8,199
2019 $763 (9.6%) $7,183 (90.4%) $7,946
2020 $1,122 (13.4%) $7,222 (86.5%) $8,345
2021 $1,902 (20.5%) $7,379 (79.5%) $9,282
2022 $2,093 (20.1%) $8,337 (79.9%) $10,430
2023 $1,577 (15.6%) $8,528 (84.4%) $10,105

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Cottondale 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 878th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 803rd of 2240 Elementary schools
 4.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cottondale Elementary School)6453
 11%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jackson)5855
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cottondale Elementary School)7360
 13%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Jackson)7060
 10%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cottondale Elementary School)5766
 9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Jackson)6261
 1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cottondale Elementary School)7670
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Jackson)7171
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cottondale Elementary School)5964
 5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Jackson)6053
 7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cottondale Elementary School)4836
 12%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Jackson)5842
 16%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Cottondale Elementary School)5241
 11%
   5th Grade Science (Jackson)5241
 11%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students402459
 14.2%
African American7890
 15.4%
American Indian72
 71.4%
Asian21
 50%
Hispanic2616
 38.5%
Pacific Islander00
White252315
 25%
Two or More Races3735
 5.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients52.7%60.6%
 7.8%

Schools Near Cottondale Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Cottondale Elementary School

Students at Cottondale Elementary School are 69% White, 20% African American, 8% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

In the 2022-23 school year, 459 students attended Cottondale Elementary School.

Cottondale Elementary School ranks 1144th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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

High : Cottondale 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 Florida 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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