- Enrollment
- 1,153
- Students per teacher
- 22.6:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Tuscaloosa, AL
Central Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Central Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 40/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 010336001252
👥 S:T ratio 47
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 42
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Elementary School earns 40/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 94% of Alabama schools.
- #7 of 13
- schools in Tuscaloosa · Resource Index
- 40
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.2:1
- small classes for Alabama
- 82.5%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 94% of Alabama schools. Computed live against every Alabama school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary School ranks #7 of 13 schools in Tuscaloosa, AL.
School address
District: Tuscaloosa City · Alabama
NCES ID 010336001252 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+4 students YoY
Central Elementary School held near 301 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+4 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 22.1 → 19.1 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+4 students YoY 010336001252 · Tuscaloosa, AL Other · SMALL · TRAD
291 enr · 13.2:1 · 82.5% lunch · RII 40
Nearest enrollment peer: Northridge High School (1,153 students)
Central Elementary School held near 301 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+4 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 22.1 → 19.1 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Alabama schools → · Find another →
Central Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Northridge Hig
Northridge High School
1,153 students
- Paul W Bryant
Paul W Bryant High School
1,134 students
- Central High S
Central High School
796 students
- Northridge Mid
Northridge Middle School
775 students
- Eastwood Middl
Eastwood Middle School
711 students
- This school 291
Central Elementary School
291 students
What this shows Central Elementary School reports 291 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Elementary School compares
Central Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Alabama and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Alabama | Alabama avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.2:1 | ▼ 25% | 17.7:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 82.5% | ▲ 40% | 58.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 291 | top 82% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.2:1
Leaner classes than 65% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
291
Bigger than 31% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
82.5%
free-lunch eligible
- 40% above the Alabama average of 58.8%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.2:1
students per teacher
- 25% below state mean
Top 6% in Alabama - lower ratio than 94% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
47.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$14,227
per pupil, district-wide
- above Alabama avg of $13,538
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 291 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 8 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 80.4%
Hispanic or Latino 17.2%
Two or More 1.7%
White 0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
Largest group: African American at 80.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 32.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 32.4, Central Elementary School is less mixed than the Alabama school average of 42.5.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Tuscaloosa City reports $14,227 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northridge High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Paul W Bryant High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Central High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Northridge Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Eastwood Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,134
- Students per teacher
- 22.2:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
- Enrollment
- 796
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 775
- Students per teacher
- 16.5:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 711
- Students per teacher
- 19.8:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
Similar other schools in Tuscaloosa
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Rock Quarry Elementary School
Standard public school
671 students 18.1:1 students per teacher
Southview Elementary School
Standard public school
644 students 16.9:1 students per teacher
The Alberta School of Performing Arts
Standard public school
632 students 13.4:1 students per teacher
Verner Elementary School
Standard public school
608 students 17.9:1 students per teacher
Taylorville Primary School
Standard public school
578 students 20.6:1 students per teacher
University Place Elementary School
Standard public school
570 students 16.3:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~291 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Elementary School
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has 291 students enrolled. It is a public school in Tuscaloosa, AL. CCD year-over-year: 297 (2022-23) → 301 (2023-24), nearly flat (+4).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 13.2:1, which is 25% lower than the Alabama average of 17.7:1 and 16% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Elementary School?
82.5% of students at Central Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Alabama average of 58.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Central Elementary School is African American at 80.4% of enrollment, in Tuscaloosa, AL.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 40/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Elementary School rank among schools in Tuscaloosa?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary School ranks #7 of 13 schools in Tuscaloosa, AL. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Tuscaloosa on the city page.
What other schools are in Tuscaloosa City?
Besides Central Elementary School, Tuscaloosa City also operates Northridge High School (1,153 students), Paul W Bryant High School (1,134 students), and Central High School (796 students). See the Tuscaloosa City district page for the complete list.