Southside Elementary School ranked #207 in Alabama in 2023, declining from #101 in 2021, placing it within the top 20% of public schools statewide.
Math proficiency was 41% in 2023, higher than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 69%, also higher than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged from 50% to 54%, exceeding the state average of 38%.
Enrollment increased slightly to 570 students in 2023 with a student–teacher ratio of 17:1; minority enrollment remained at 12%, with 36% of students eligible for free lunch, up from 19% in 2022.
The school served grades Pre–K through 5 with 33 teachers in 2023, maintaining an instructional environment typical of a suburban New Jersey high school setting.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 585 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 13%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 41% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 50-54% (Top 20%)
- Attendance Zone: Southside Elementary School serves the southern part of Gadsden, AL, covering an area of approximately 24 square miles. Families within this zone can expect a typical drive of 10 to 12 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge located about 5.5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Southside Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Southside Elementary School's student population of 585 students has grown by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 34 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
585 students
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
School Calendar
School Rankings
Southside Elementary School ranks within the top 20% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Southside Elementary School is 0.24, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#207 out of 1275 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
5%
12%
Black
2%
31%
White
87%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)11.6%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southside Elementary School's ranking?
Southside Elementary School is ranked #207 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Southside Elementary School often compared to?
Southside Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like John S Jones Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
41% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Southside Elementary School?
585 students attend Southside Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
87% of Southside Elementary School students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Southside Elementary School?
Southside Elementary School has a student ration of 17:1, which is equal to the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Southside Elementary School offer ?
Southside Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Southside Elementary School part of?
Southside Elementary School is part of Etowah County School District.
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