Public School Review - Established 2003

Central Park Elementary School vs. Princeton School

Should you attend Central Park Elementary School or Princeton School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Central Park Elementary School
4915 Ave Q
Birmingham, AL 35208
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Princeton School
1425 2nd Ave W
Birmingham, AL 35208
: 
6/
10
Top 50%
Top Rankings

Central Park Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 20%)

Princeton School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 10%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 10%)
Overview
Central Park Elementary School in Birmingham, AL ranks in the bottom 50% of Alabama public schools overall, with its state rank declining from #1089 in 2012 to #1158 in 2023.
Math proficiency ranged from 6% to 9%, lower than the state average of about 30% in recent years, while reading proficiency was 18%, lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency was also 6% to 9%, lower than the state average.
Enrollment decreased from 917 students in 1999 to 390 in 2023, and minority enrollment was 99%, including 81% eligible for free lunch, reflecting significant socioeconomic challenges.
The school served grades Pre–K through 5 with about 390 students and a student–teacher ratio of 16:1 in 2023, ranking in the top 20% statewide for lowest student–teacher ratio and highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch.
Princeton School, a magnet school serving grades Pre–K through 5 in Birmingham, AL, ranked #529 statewide in 2023, reflecting a decline from its peak rank of #26 in 2010.
Math proficiency at ranged between 20–24%, lower than the Alabama state average of approximately 30%, while reading proficiency was 50–54%, higher than the state average of about 47%.
The school's enrollment decreased from 257 students in 2017 to 200 students currently, with student–teacher ratio steady around 15:1, ranking in the top 10% for lowest ratios in Alabama.
The student body is predominantly Black (99%), with 46% qualifying for free lunch and 5% for reduced–price lunch, indicating a significant portion of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Science proficiency ranged from 11–19%, lower than the state average near 38%, marking an ongoing area of academic challenge for this Union County NJ high school.
Grades Offered
PK-5
PK-5
Total Students
390 students
200 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Central Park Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Princeton School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
55% | 45%
47% | 53%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Central Park Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Princeton School.
Total Classroom Teachers
24 teachers
13 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Central Park Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Princeton School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Central Park Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Birmingham City School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Princeton School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Birmingham City School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#1158 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
#529 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Top 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Central Park Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Princeton School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
6-9%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
20-24%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Central Park Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Princeton School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
18%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
50-54%
(Top 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Central Park Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Princeton School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
6-9%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
11-19%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Central Park Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Princeton School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Central Park Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Princeton School by grade.
Pre-K Students
36
18
Kindergarten Students
48
23
Grade 1 Students
55
29
Grade 2 Students
68
31
Grade 3 Students
55
31
Grade 4 Students
64
33
Grade 5 Students
64
35

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
n/a
% Hispanic
17%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Central Park Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Princeton School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% Black
81%
99%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Central Park Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Princeton School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Central Park Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Princeton School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2013-14 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Central Park Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2019-20 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Princeton School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Birmingham City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2020-21 school year.
0.32
0.02
This chart showcases the diversity score of Central Park Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Princeton School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2021-22 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
81%
46%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Central Park Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Princeton School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
6%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Central Park Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Princeton School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Birmingham City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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