Public School Review - Established 2003

Julian Newman Elementary School vs. James L Cowart Elementary School

Should you attend Julian Newman Elementary School or James L Cowart Elementary 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
Julian Newman Elementary School
601 S Clinton Street
Athens, AL 35611
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
James L Cowart Elementary School
1701 W Hobbs St
Athens, AL 35611
: 
6/
10
Top 50%
Top Rankings

Julian Newman Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 20%)

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

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 5%)
Overview
Julian Newman Elementary School ranked #170 statewide in 2023, improving from #274 in 2018 and consistently placing in the top 20% of Alabama public schools for overall performance.
Math proficiency ranged between 45%–49% in 2023, higher than the Alabama state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 65%–69%, also higher than the state average of 47%.
Enrollment increased from 288 students in 2019 to 371 in 2023, with minority enrollment steady at 42%, reflecting a diverse student body in this Athens, AL public elementary school serving grades PK–3.
The school maintained a student–teacher ratio of 17:1 in 2023, with 382 total students and 22 teachers, supporting early childhood education from pre–kindergarten through grade 3.
Science proficiency remained approximately equal to the state average, at 40% in 2022 compared to the state's 38%, showing stable performance in core academic subjects over recent years.
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%.
Grades Offered
PK-3
K-3
Total Students
382 students
331 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Julian Newman 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 James L Cowart Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
48% | 52%
54% | 46%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Julian Newman Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at James L Cowart Elementary School.
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
20 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Julian Newman 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 James L Cowart Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Julian Newman Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Athens 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

#170 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Top 20%)
#582 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Top 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Julian Newman 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
45-49%
(Top 20% in AL)
25-29%
(Top 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Julian Newman Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Athens City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
65-69%
(Top 20% 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 Julian Newman Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Athens 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 Julian Newman Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of James L Cowart Elementary School by grade.
Pre-K Students
35
18
Kindergarten Students
88
71
Grade 1 Students
96
79
Grade 2 Students
80
80
Grade 3 Students
83
83

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 Julian Newman Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Athens City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2010-11 school year.
n/a
% Asian
4%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Julian Newman Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Athens City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% Hispanic
18%
29%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Julian Newman Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Athens City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
12%
22%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Julian Newman Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Athens 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
58%
42%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Julian Newman Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Athens City 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
8%
7%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Julian Newman Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Athens City 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
0.69
This chart showcases the diversity score of Julian Newman Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Athens City 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
40%
65%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Julian Newman Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Athens 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
3%
4%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Julian Newman Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Athens 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 James L Cowart Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Athens 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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