Top Rankings
Tuscaloosa City School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 3,083 students in Tuscaloosa City School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Alabama.
Public High Schools in Tuscaloosa City School District have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Alabama public high school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 38% statewide average).
Public High School in Tuscaloosa City School District have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is less than the Alabama average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Northridge High School, with 93% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Alabama or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 78% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public high school average of 47% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AL)
# Schools
21 Schools
543 Schools
# Students
11,230 Students
280,239 Students
# Teachers
660 Teachers
15,679 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Tuscaloosa City School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 145 school districts in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has decreased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#87 out of 145 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 12-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
38%
Graduation Rate
87%
90%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)23.6%
22.6%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.51
0.62
Showing 2014–2023. View full 35-year historical data
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
2%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 30-year historical data
% Hispanic
8%
11%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 25-year historical data
% Black
66%
30%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 35-year historical data
% White
22%
53%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 35-year historical data
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,277 is higher than the state median of $15,699. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,416 is higher than the state median of $14,867. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$183 MM
$11,791 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending
$173 MM
$11,166 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$16,277
$15,699
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$15,416
$14,867
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Tuscaloosa City School District Public High Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northridge High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2901 Northridge Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
(205) 759-3590
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
(205) 759-3590
Gr: 9-12 | 1,153 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
Paul W Bryant High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
6315 Mary Harmon Bryant Drive
Cottondale, AL 35453
(205) 759-3538
Cottondale, AL 35453
(205) 759-3538
Gr: 9-12 | 1,134 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #33.
Central High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
905 15th Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3720
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3720
Gr: 9-12 | 796 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Stars Academy
Alternative School
3834 21st Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3629
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3629
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Tuscaloosa Career And Technology Academy
Vocational School
2800 Martin Luther King Jr Bou
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3649
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3649
Gr: 9-12
Recent Articles
Can Public Schools Charge for Required Graduation Courses?
Can a public school charge for a course your child needs to graduate? Learn how state rules, course alternatives, summer programs, and fee waivers affect the answer, plus what parents should request before paying, accepting a substitute, or challenging a charge that threatens graduation plans.
Save Your Child's Work Before a School Account Closes
School accounts may close after graduation or a transfer, leaving important projects inaccessible. Learn what families should save, which deadlines to confirm, how to check exported files, and why shared links alone may not preserve your child's work for future applications, learning, or personal memories.
School Commute Time: When Distance Affects School Fit
Is your child's school commute becoming too demanding? Learn how to weigh educational benefits against daily strain, recognize warning signs, explore practical adjustments, and decide when a closer school fits.
