Public School Review - Established 2003

D A Smith Middle School vs. South Dale Middle School

Should you attend D A Smith Middle School or South Dale Middle 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
D A Smith Middle School
994 Andrews Ave
Ozark, AL 36360
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
South Dale Middle School
309 Randolph Street
Pinckard, AL 36371
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings

D A Smith Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 20%)

South Dale Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Most improved public schools (Top 20%)
Overview
Serving 434 students in grades 6-8, D A Smith Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 17% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 30%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 42% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is lower than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 49% (majority Black).
South Dale Middle School ranked #700 in Alabama in 2023, declining from a peak rank of #404 in 2019, indicating weaker overall performance trends among Union County NJ high schools.
Math proficiency declined to 21% in 2023, lower than the Alabama state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 42%, lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged from 40% to 44%, higher than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment grew slightly from 401 students in 2022 to 426 in 2023, with minority enrollment stable at approximately 49% and 74% of students eligible for free lunch, reflecting socioeconomic challenges typical of this New Jersey high school.
Serving grades 5–8, South Dale Middle School had an enrollment of 410 students and a student–teacher ratio of 20:1 in 2023.
The school was Title I eligible, offered no virtual instruction, and participated fully in the National School Lunch Program without provision modifications.
Grades Offered
6-8
5-8
Total Students
434 students
410 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at D A Smith Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at South Dale Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
51% | 49%
55% | 45%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at D A Smith Middle School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at South Dale Middle School.
Total Classroom Teachers
29 teachers
21 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at D A Smith Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at South Dale Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
20:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at D A Smith Middle School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Dale County 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

#736 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
#700 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of D A Smith Middle 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 South Dale Middle School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
17%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
21%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at D A Smith Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Dale County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
42%
(Top 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
42%
(Top 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at D A Smith Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Dale County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
20-24%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
40-44%
(Top 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at D A Smith Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Dale County 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 D A Smith Middle School by grade.
This chart displays the students of South Dale Middle School by grade.
Grade 5 Students
-
76
Grade 6 Students
146
95
Grade 7 Students
135
108
Grade 8 Students
153
131

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at D A Smith Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Ozark City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2013-14 school year.
n/a
% Asian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at D A Smith Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Ozark 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 Asian at South Dale Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Dale County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
6%
6%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at D A Smith Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Dale County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
52%
36%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at D A Smith Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Dale County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
34%
51%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at D A Smith Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Dale County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
6%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at D A Smith Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Ozark 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 two or more races at South Dale Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Dale County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.61
0.61
This chart showcases the diversity score of D A Smith Middle School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Dale County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
58%
74%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at D A Smith Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Dale County 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
7%
4%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at D A Smith Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Ozark 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 South Dale Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Dale County 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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