Public School Review - Established 2003

West End High School vs. Southside High School

Should you attend West End High School or Southside High 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
West End High School
4515 Elm St
Walnut Grove, AL 35990
: 
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Southside High School
2361 School Drive
Gadsden, AL 35907
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings
n/a

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

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Overview
West End High School in Walnut Grove, AL is ranked #932 in the state for 2023, showing improvement from #1036 in 2022 but remaining in the bottom 50% statewide.
Math proficiency declined from 14% in 2019 to 10–14% in 2023, consistently lower than the Alabama state average of around 30%; reading proficiency was 30–34%, also lower than the state average near 47%.
Minority enrollment comprised 14% of the 365 students in 2023, with the student population steadily declining from 445 in 1999 to 370 in 2023; free or reduced–price lunch eligibility increased from 29% in 1999 to 74% in 2023, indicating socioeconomic shifts.
The school serves grades 7 through 12 with a student–teacher ratio of 17:1, employing 21 teachers for 365 students as of 2023.
Graduation rates ranged from 80–89% over recent years, falling below the state average of approximately 88% in 2023 for this Union County NJ high school.
Southside High School in Gadsden, AL, ranked #654 in Alabama in 2023, showing a decline from #577 in 2022 and #416 in 2019, indicating weaker overall ranking performance over recent years.
Math proficiency ranged from 25% to 29% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 35% to 39%, also lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency was 40% to 44%, higher than the state average of 38% in 2022.
Enrollment declined from 846 students in 2017 to 770 in 2023, and the percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased to 36% in 2023 from 16% in 2017, reflecting socioeconomic shifts in this Union County NJ high school.
Southside High School served grades 9–12 with 818 students and 43 teachers in 2023, maintaining a student–teacher ratio of 19:1, slightly above the previous years' ratios.
The school's graduation rate consistently exceeded the state average, reaching 95% in 2023 compared to Alabama's 88%, ranking in the top 5% statewide.
Grades Offered
7-12
9-12
Total Students
365 students
818 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at West End High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Southside High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
50% | 50%
53% | 47%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at West End High School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Southside High School.
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
43 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at West End High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Southside High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
19:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at West End High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Etowah 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.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Southside High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Etowah 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

#932 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
#654 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of West End High 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 Southside High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
10-14%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
25-29%
(Top 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at West End High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
30-34%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
35-39%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at West End High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
25-29%
(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 West End High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
80-89%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
≥95%
(Top 5% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of West End High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Etowah County 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 graduation rate of Southside High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of West End High School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Southside High School by grade.
Grade 7 Students
71
-
Grade 8 Students
64
-
Grade 9 Students
55
212
Grade 10 Students
60
195
Grade 11 Students
60
213
Grade 12 Students
55
198

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Etowah 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
7%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at West End High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Etowah 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
1%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at West End High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Etowah 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
86%
83%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at West End High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Etowah 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
5%
3%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at West End High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.26
0.31
This chart showcases the diversity score of West End High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Etowah 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
63%
36%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at West End High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Etowah 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
11%
6%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at West End High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Etowah County 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 Southside High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Etowah 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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