- Enrollment
- 1,590
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 27/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Opelika, AL
Northside School
Federal NCES profile for Northside School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 41/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 010258000349
👥 S:T ratio 16
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 7
📋 Attendance 70
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Northside School earns 41/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 91% of Alabama schools.
- #1 of 7
- elementary schools in Opelika · Resource Index
- 41
- Resource Index · Typical
- 21.1:1
- large classes for Alabama
- 59.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Northside School has class sizes larger than 91% of Alabama schools. Computed live against every Alabama school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Northside School ranks #1 of 7 elementary schools in Opelika, AL.
School address
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+24 students YoY
Northside School grew from 435 students in 2022-23 to 459 in 2023-24 (+5.5%).
Teacher FTE added 22.2 → 23.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+24 students YoY 010258000349 · Opelika, AL Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
464 enr · 21.1:1 · 59.3% lunch · RII 41
Nearest enrollment peer: Opelika High School (1,590 students)
Northside School grew from 435 students in 2022-23 to 459 in 2023-24 (+5.5%). Teacher FTE added 22.2 → 23.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Alabama schools → · Find another →
Northside School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Opelika High S
Opelika High School
1,590 students
- Opelika Middle
Opelika Middle School
812 students
- Southview Prim 480
Southview Primary School
480 students
- This school 464
Northside School
464 students
- Jeter Primary 435
Jeter Primary School
435 students
- Carver Primary 414
Carver Primary School
414 students
What this shows Northside School reports 464 students on the CCD universe file.
How Northside School compares
Northside School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Alabama and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Alabama | Alabama avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 21.1:1 | ▲ 19% | 17.7:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 59.3% | ▲ 1% | 58.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 464 | top 52% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
21.1:1
Leaner classes than 13% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
464
Bigger than 57% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
59.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 1% above the Alabama average of 58.8%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
21.1:1
students per teacher
- 19% above state mean
Top 91% in Alabama - lower ratio than 9% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
12.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$12,232
per pupil, district-wide
- below Alabama avg of $13,538
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 464 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
50
in-school suspensions + 23 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 10.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 15.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 47.2%
White 37.7%
Hispanic or Latino 11.6%
Two or More 1.9%
Asian 1.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.4%
Largest group: African American at 47.2% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 62.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 62.1, Northside School is more mixed than the Alabama school average of 42.5.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Opelika City reports $12,232 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Northside School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opelika High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Opelika Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Southview Primary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Jeter Primary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Carver Primary School | Similar size | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Northside School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 812
- Students per teacher
- 12.1:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 480
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 435
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
- Enrollment
- 414
- Students per teacher
- 16.6:1
- Resource Index
- 30/100
Similar elementary schools in Opelika
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Sanford Middle School
Standard public school
533 students 16.7:1 students per teacher
Southview Primary School
Standard public school
480 students 17.1:1 students per teacher
Jeter Primary School
Standard public school
435 students 15.5:1 students per teacher
Carver Primary School
Standard public school
414 students 16.6:1 students per teacher
Morris Avenue Intermediate School
Standard public school
397 students 20.9:1 students per teacher
West Forest Intermediate School
Standard public school
393 students 17.1:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary 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 (~464 students)
Frequently asked questions about Northside School
How many students attend Northside School?
Northside School has 464 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Opelika, AL. CCD year-over-year: 435 (2022-23) → 459 (2023-24), up 24.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northside School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northside School is 21.1:1, which is 19% higher than the Alabama average of 17.7:1 and 34% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Northside School?
59.3% of students at Northside School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Alabama average of 58.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Northside School?
The largest demographic group at Northside School is African American at 47.2% of enrollment, in Opelika, AL. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 62.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Northside School?
Northside School has a Resource Investment Index of 41/100 (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 Northside School rank among elementary schools in Opelika?
By Resource Investment Index, Northside School ranks #1 of 7 elementary schools in Opelika, AL. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Opelika on the city page.
What other schools are in Opelika City?
Besides Northside School, Opelika City also operates Opelika High School (1,590 students), Opelika Middle School (812 students), and Southview Primary School (480 students). See the Opelika City district page for the complete list.