James L Cowart Elementary School (Ranked Top 50% for 2026)

1701 W Hobbs St
Athens, AL 35611

( shown in map)

Top 50%

James L Cowart Elementary School ranked #582 in Alabama in 2023, declining from a peak rank of #177 in 2015 and showing fluctuations in statewide ranking over the past decade.

Math proficiency was 25–29% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 40–44%, also lower than Alabama's 47% average.

Science proficiency stood at 40%, slightly higher than the state average of 38%.

Enrollment increased modestly from 288 students in 2021 to 332 students in 2023, with minority enrollment at 58%, reflecting moderate demographic diversity including 95 Hispanic and 73 Black students.

The school served grades K–3 with 331 students and a student–teacher ratio of 17:1 in 2023; 61% of students qualified for free lunch, indicating significant socioeconomic challenges.

As a Title I eligible school in Athens City, Alabama, James L Cowart Elementary had a 90% graduation rate in 2023, comparable to the state average of 88%.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Kindergarten-3
Enrollment: 331 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 58%
: Top 50% in AL
: 25-29% (Top 50%)
: 40-44% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

James L Cowart Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

School Overview

James L Cowart Elementary School's student population of 331 students has grown by 14% over five school years.

The teacher population of 20 teachers has grown by 5% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-3
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	James L Cowart Elementary School
Pre-K	18
Kind	71
1	79
2	80
3	83

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Total Students

331 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School
2023	332
2022	320
2021	288
2020	291
2019	291
2018	329
2017	329
2016	274
2015	287
2014	282
2013	282
2012	289
2011	271
2010	273
2009	274
2008	287
2007	290
2006	298
2005	289
2004	278
2003	271
2002	276
2001	281
2000	283
1999	300
1998	308
1997	316
1996	322
1995	319
1994	326
1993	350
1992	355
1991	330
1990	337
1989	398
1988	398
1987	358

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

20 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School
2023	19
2022	18
2021	19
2020	18
2019	18
2018	19
2017	19
2016	17
2015	17
2014	20
2013	23
2012	24
2011	26
2010	26
2009	20
2008	22
2007	24
2006	22
2005	24
2004	22
2003	19
2002	23
2001	24
2000	23
1999	22
1998	20
1997	20
1996	22
1995	22
1994	23
1993	20
1992	19
1991	20
1990	18
1989	20
1988	20
1987	18

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School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Mon. May 25, 2026

School Motto

Empowering all students for lifelong success

School Rankings

James L Cowart Elementary School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of James L Cowart Elementary School is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (AL)

#582 out of 1275 schools
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School
2023	#582
2022	#779
2021	#301
2019	#204
2018	#378
2017	#745
2016	#469
2015	#177
2014	#246
2013	#730
2012	#503

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25-29%

30%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	27%	30%	30%
2022	12%	29%	31%
2021	32%	24%	27%
2019	62%	47%	50%
2018	52%	47%	54%
2017	47%	44%	45%
2016	57%	43%	47%
2015	62%	40%	48%
2014	57%	38%	50%
2013	77%	80%	83%
2012	82%	82%	87%

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40-44%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2022	42%	47%	54%
2021	52%	46%	51%
2019	57%	45%	51%
2018	52%	46%	54%
2017	22%	39%	44%
2016	32%	38%	44%
2015	47%	41%	47%
2014	42%	42%	52%
2013	87%	86%	88%
2012	92%	86%	90%
2011	95%	85%	90%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	17:1	17:1	18:1
2022	18:1	18:1	21:1
2021	15:1	17:1	20:1
2020	16:1	17:1	20:1
2019	16:1	17:1	20:1
2018	17:1	18:1	24:1
2017	17:1	17:1	24:1
2016	16:1	18:1	20:1
2015	17:1	18:1	18:1
2014	14:1	16:1	16:1
2013	12:1	14:1	15:1
2012	12:1	16:1	16:1
2011	10:1	15:1	13:1
2010	10:1	16:1	14:1
2009	14:1	16:1	15:1
2008	13:1	15:1	14:1
2007	12:1	16:1	15:1
2006	14:1	15:1	14:1
2005	12:1	15:1	14:1
2004	13:1	15:1	14:1
2003	14:1	16:1	15:1
2002	12:1	16:1	14:1
2001	12:1	16:1	14:1
2000	12:1	15:1	14:1
1999	14:1	16:1	15:1
1998	15:1	16:1	16:1
1997	16:1	17:1	16:1
1996	15:1	17:1	16:1
1995	14:1	17:1	15:1
1994	14:1	18:1	16:1
1993	18:1	18:1	19:1
1992	19:1	19:1	19:1
1991	17:1	19:1	18:1
1990	19:1	19:1	18:1
1989	20:1	20:1	19:1
1988	20:1	20:1	20:1
1987	20:1	21:1	19:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2022)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2022	3%	1%	2%
2020	1%	2%	1%
2019	1%	2%	1%
2014	1%	1%	2%
2013	1%	1%	2%
2012	1%	1%	2%
2008	2%	1%	1%
2004	1%	1%	2%
1997	1%	2%	2%
1995	1%	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%	1%

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Hispanic

29%

11%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	24%	11%	20%
2022	24%	10%	19%
2021	21%	9%	18%
2020	21%	8%	18%
2019	21%	8%	18%
2018	24%	7%	13%
2017	24%	7%	13%
2016	25%	7%	16%
2015	22%	6%	16%
2014	21%	5%	14%
2013	20%	5%	13%
2012	17%	5%	12%
2011	16%	4%	12%
2010	16%	4%	12%
2009	17%	4%	12%
2008	16%	4%	12%
2007	12%	3%	11%
2006	9%	3%	9%
2005	10%	2%	9%
2004	8%	2%	7%
2003	10%	2%	8%
2002	6%	2%	6%
2001	9%	1%	6%
2000	8%	1%	5%
1999	8%	1%	5%
1998	3%	1%	5%
1997	4%	1%	3%
1996	2%	1%	2%

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Black

22%

32%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	19%	32%	15%
2022	14%	32%	15%
2021	20%	32%	17%
2020	17%	33%	18%
2019	17%	33%	18%
2018	18%	33%	23%
2017	18%	33%	23%
2016	23%	33%	22%
2015	24%	33%	25%
2014	20%	34%	25%
2013	21%	34%	24%
2012	23%	34%	25%
2011	30%	35%	26%
2010	30%	35%	25%
2009	34%	35%	27%
2008	33%	36%	26%
2007	38%	36%	27%
2006	39%	36%	27%
2005	37%	36%	26%
2004	36%	36%	25%
2003	30%	36%	25%
2002	24%	36%	24%
2001	26%	36%	25%
2000	25%	36%	25%
1999	27%	36%	23%
1998	19%	36%	23%
1997	28%	36%	23%
1996	30%	36%	26%
1995	28%	36%	25%
1994	29%	36%	25%
1993	28%	36%	24%

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White

42%

51%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	48%	52%	56%
2022	50%	53%	58%
2021	50%	53%	58%
2020	53%	54%	56%
2019	53%	54%	56%
2018	51%	55%	59%
2017	51%	55%	59%
2016	46%	56%	58%
2015	50%	56%	56%
2014	57%	57%	58%
2013	58%	58%	60%
2012	59%	58%	60%
2011	54%	58%	59%
2010	54%	58%	60%
2009	49%	59%	59%
2008	49%	58%	60%
2007	50%	59%	60%
2006	52%	59%	61%
2005	53%	60%	63%
2004	55%	60%	66%
2003	60%	60%	66%
2002	70%	60%	68%
2001	65%	61%	68%
2000	67%	61%	68%
1999	65%	61%	70%
1998	78%	61%	70%
1997	67%	60%	72%
1996	68%	61%	72%
1995	69%	62%	73%
1994	70%	62%	73%
1993	70%	62%	74%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2014-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	9%	3%	6%
2022	9%	3%	5%
2021	9%	3%	5%
2020	8%	2%	6%
2019	8%	2%	6%
2018	7%	2%	4%
2017	7%	2%	4%
2016	6%	2%	3%
2015	4%	2%	2%
2014	1%	2%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.69

0.63

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	0.67	0.62	0.62
2022	0.67	0.61	0.61
2021	0.66	0.61	0.61
2020	0.65	0.60	0.62
2019	0.65	0.60	0.62
2018	0.65	0.59	0.59
2017	0.65	0.59	0.59
2016	0.68	0.58	0.59
2015	0.65	0.58	0.60
2014	0.61	0.56	0.58
2013	0.59	0.55	0.57
2012	0.58	0.55	0.57
2011	0.60	0.54	0.57
2010	0.60	0.54	0.57
2009	0.62	0.53	0.57
2008	0.63	0.54	0.57
2007	0.60	0.53	0.56
2006	0.58	0.53	0.55
2005	0.58	0.51	0.53
2004	0.57	0.51	0.50
2003	0.55	0.51	0.49
2002	0.45	0.51	0.48
2001	0.51	0.50	0.48
2000	0.49	0.50	0.47
1999	0.50	0.50	0.45
1998	0.36	0.50	0.44
1997	0.47	0.52	0.43
1996	0.45	0.50	0.42
1995	0.45	0.49	0.41
1994	0.43	0.49	0.40
1993	0.43	0.49	0.40

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

65%

56%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	61%	55%	46%
2022	45%	44%	31%
2021	65%	48%	41%
2020	45%	49%	42%
2019	45%	49%	42%
2018	61%	47%	39%
2017	61%	47%	39%
2016	68%	46%	47%
2015	67%	47%	47%
2014	64%	52%	48%
2013	66%	51%	47%
2012	57%	51%	44%
2011	55%	49%	42%
2010	50%	47%	40%
2009	54%	44%	37%
2008	53%	43%	37%
2007	47%	42%	34%
2006	46%	44%	33%
2005	48%	43%	32%
2004	46%	42%	30%
2003	42%	42%	28%
2002	36%	40%	27%
2001	35%	38%	26%
2000	36%	37%	25%
1999	36%	38%	24%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	James L Cowart Elementary School	Alabama	Athens City School District
2023	6%	5%	5%
2022	8%	5%	6%
2021	3%	6%	5%
2020	7%	6%	4%
2019	7%	6%	4%
2018	3%	5%	2%
2017	3%	5%	2%
2016	5%	5%	4%
2015	9%	5%	5%
2014	5%	6%	6%
2013	4%	6%	5%
2012	8%	7%	6%
2011	10%	6%	5%
2010	10%	8%	7%
2009	7%	8%	7%
2008	6%	8%	6%
2007	12%	9%	7%
2006	8%	9%	5%
2005	7%	8%	5%
2004	10%	8%	6%
2003	6%	8%	7%
2002	7%	8%	6%
2001	3%	8%	4%
2000	4%	8%	4%
1999	4%	8%	4%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Athens City School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is James L Cowart Elementary School's ranking?

James L Cowart Elementary School is ranked #582 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Alabama.

What schools are James L Cowart Elementary School often compared to?

James L Cowart Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Brookhill Elementary School, Julian Newman Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

25-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 40-44% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).

How many students attend James L Cowart Elementary School?

331 students attend James L Cowart Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

42% of James L Cowart Elementary School students are White, 29% of students are Hispanic, 22% of students are Black, and 7% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student-teacher ratio of James L Cowart Elementary School?

James L Cowart Elementary School has a student ration of 17:1, which is equal to the Alabama state average of 17:1.

What grades does James L Cowart Elementary School offer ?

James L Cowart Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-3 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is James L Cowart Elementary School part of?

James L Cowart Elementary School is part of Athens City School District.

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