Southside Primary School serves grades Pre–K through 2 with an enrollment of 143 students and a student–teacher ratio of 18:1, reflecting a smaller Union County NJ high school size and focused attention.
The school's math proficiency was 20% in 2023, lower than the Alabama state average of 30%, showing a declining trend from higher past levels.
Reading proficiency stood at 20% in 2022, which is also lower than the state average of 47%, with a notable decline from much higher rates reported in earlier years.
Minority enrollment is predominantly Black (not Hispanic) at 135 students, with 94% of students eligible for free lunch, indicating a high socioeconomic need within this Berkeley Heights public high school community.
Enrollment decreased steadily from 470 students in 1999 to 143 students in recent reporting, while the percentage of students eligible for free lunch remained consistently high above 90%.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: Kindergarten-2
- Enrollment: 147 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Attendance Zone: Southside Primary School serves the eastern part of Selma, AL, encompassing an area of approximately 98.9 square miles. Families can typically expect a drive of 15 to 20 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 13.8 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Southside Primary School's student population of 147 students has declined by 21% over five school years.
The teacher population of 8 teachers has declined by 42% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-2
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
147 students
Total Classroom Teachers
8 teachers
Year Founded
1905
School Calendar
School Rankings
The diversity score of Southside Primary School is 0.13, 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.
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
2%
12%
Black
93%
31%
White
1%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)48.3%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
88%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (11-12)
1%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students attend Southside Primary School?
147 students attend Southside Primary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
93% of Southside Primary School students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Southside Primary School?
Southside Primary School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Southside Primary School offer ?
Southside Primary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-2 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Southside Primary School part of?
Southside Primary School is part of Dallas County School District.
School Reviews
Review Southside Primary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.
