Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Tuscaloosa Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 13,365 students in Tuscaloosa, AL (there are 7 private schools, serving 2,862 private students). 81% of all K-12 students in Tuscaloosa, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Tuscaloosa, AL are Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary School, Rock Quarry Elementary School and Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tuscaloosa, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Tuscaloosa have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
315 Mcfarland Blvd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
(205) 759-3655
Gr: 1-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #22.
Rock Quarry Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2000 Rock Quarry Dr
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
(205) 759-8347
Gr: PK-5 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
315 Mcfarland Blvd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
(205) 759-3653
Gr: 6-8 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #44.
Verner Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2701 Northridge Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
(205) 759-3667
Gr: PK-5 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
Northridge Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3811 Northridge Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
(205) 759-3578
Gr: 6-8 | 775 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #66.
Northridge High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2901 Northridge Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
(205) 759-3590
Gr: 9-12 | 1,153 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #77.
Englewood Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
10300 Old Greensboro Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 342-2644
Gr: 3-5 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #88.
Arcadia Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3740 Arcadia Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
(205) 759-3567
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #99.
The Alberta School Of Performing Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2700 University Blvd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
(205) 759-3564
Gr: PK-8 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1010.
University Place Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2000 First Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3664
Gr: PK-5 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1111.
Hillcrest Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Hillcrest School Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 342-2820
Gr: 6-8 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1212.
Holt Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 Crescent Ridge Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
(205) 342-2650
Gr: PK-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1313.
Hillcrest High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Patriot Pkwy
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 342-2800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,434 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1414.
Woodland Forrest Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
6001 E Hargrove Rd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 759-3675
Gr: PK-5 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1515.
Skyland Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
408 Skyland Boulevard East
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 759-3638
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Martin L King Jr Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2430 Martin L King Jr Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3619
Gr: PK-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #1717.
Southview Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2601 Southview Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 345-1325
Gr: PK-5 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Oakdale Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5001 25th Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3626
Gr: PK-5 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1510 Dinah Washington Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3570
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Holt High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
301 44th Ct Ne
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
(205) 342-2768
Gr: 9-12 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2121.
Central High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
905 15th Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3720
Gr: 9-12 | 796 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2222.
Westlawn Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1715 Martin L King Jr Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3673
Gr: 6-8 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
I Dream Big Charter Schools
Charter School
3601 Stillman Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(731) 293-3677
Rank: n/an/a
Stars Academy
Alternative School
3834 21st Street
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3629
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Taylorville Primary School
350 Bobby Miller Pkwy
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 342-2939
Gr: PK-2 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: n/an/a
Tuscaloosa Career And Technology Academy
Vocational School
2800 Martin Luther King Jr Bou
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 759-3649
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center
Alternative School
5941 12th Ave East
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
(205) 349-3131
Gr: 7-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Tuscaloosa, AL?
How many public schools are located in Tuscaloosa?
27 public schools are located in Tuscaloosa.
What percentage of students in Tuscaloosa go to public school?
81% of all K-12 students in Tuscaloosa are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Tuscaloosa are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (AL):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Alabama Top-Ranked Public Schools
Alabama Top-Ranked Public Schools
 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics

More Articles

About Public Schools
Teaching
Scholarships
Opinion
Parenting and Learning Issues