- Enrollment
- 1,361
- Students per teacher
- 16.2:1
- Resource Index
- 27/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Gadsden, AL
Thompson Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Thompson Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 27/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 010162001666
👥 S:T ratio 0
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 42
📋 Attendance 36
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Thompson Elementary School earns 27/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 98% of Alabama schools.
- #10 of 11
- schools in Gadsden · Resource Index
- 27
- Resource Index · Lower
- 26.2:1
- large classes for Alabama
- 83.4%
- free-lunch eligible
Thompson Elementary School has class sizes larger than 98% of Alabama schools. Computed live against every Alabama school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Thompson Elementary School ranks #10 of 11 schools in Gadsden, AL.
School address
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+32 students YoY
Thompson Elementary School grew from 217 students in 2022-23 to 249 in 2023-24 (+14.7%).
Teacher FTE added 11.4 → 14.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+32 students YoY 010162001666 · Gadsden, AL Other · SMALL · TRAD
288 enr · 26.2:1 · 83.4% lunch · RII 27
Nearest enrollment peer: Gadsden City High School (1,361 students)
Thompson Elementary School grew from 217 students in 2022-23 to 249 in 2023-24 (+14.7%). Teacher FTE added 11.4 → 14.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Alabama schools → · Find another →
Thompson Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Gadsden City H
Gadsden City High School
1,361 students
- Gadsden Middle 438
Gadsden Middle School
438 students
- Adams Elementa 433
Adams Elementary School
433 students
- W E Striplin E 400
W E Striplin Elementary School
400 students
- Floyd Elementa 384
Floyd Elementary School
384 students
- This school 288
Thompson Elementary School
288 students
What this shows Thompson Elementary School reports 288 students on the CCD universe file.
How Thompson Elementary School compares
Thompson Elementary 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 | 26.2:1 | ▲ 48% | 17.7:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 83.4% | ▲ 42% | 58.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 288 | top 82% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
26.2:1
Leaner classes than 4% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
288
Bigger than 31% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
83.4%
free-lunch eligible
- 42% 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
26.2:1
students per teacher
- 48% above state mean
Top 98% in Alabama - lower ratio than 2% of state schools
Well above 20:1, one of the more stretched staffing loads nationally relative to enrollment.
Engagement
25.7%
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
$13,509
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 288 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 62.2%
White 17.4%
Hispanic or Latino 13.9%
Two or More 5.2%
Asian 0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.7%
Largest group: African American at 62.2% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 56.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 56.1, Thompson Elementary School is more mixed than the Alabama school average of 42.5.
Programs
District finance for Gadsden City reports $13,509 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Thompson Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden City High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Gadsden Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Adams Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| W E Striplin Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Floyd Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Thompson Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 438
- Students per teacher
- 19:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 433
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 56/100
- Enrollment
- 400
- Students per teacher
- 20:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 384
- Students per teacher
- 24:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Similar other schools in Gadsden
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Adams Elementary School
Standard public school
433 students 17.3:1 students per teacher
W E Striplin Elementary School
Standard public school
400 students 20:1 students per teacher
Floyd Elementary School
Standard public school
384 students 24:1 students per teacher
Gaston High School
Standard public school
380 students 21.1:1 students per teacher
Eura Brown Elementary School
Standard public school
340 students 16.2:1 students per teacher
Gaston Elementary School
Standard public school
290 students 18.1:1 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 (~288 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~26.2:1)
Frequently asked questions about Thompson Elementary School
How many students attend Thompson Elementary School?
Thompson Elementary School has 288 students enrolled. It is a public school in Gadsden, AL. CCD year-over-year: 217 (2022-23) → 249 (2023-24), up 32.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thompson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thompson Elementary School is 26.2:1, which is 48% higher than the Alabama average of 17.7:1 and 67% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Thompson Elementary School?
83.4% of students at Thompson Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Alabama average of 58.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Thompson Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Thompson Elementary School is African American at 62.2% of enrollment, in Gadsden, AL. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 56.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Thompson Elementary School?
Thompson Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 27/100 (lower 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 Thompson Elementary School rank among schools in Gadsden?
By Resource Investment Index, Thompson Elementary School ranks #10 of 11 schools in Gadsden, AL. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Gadsden on the city page.
What other schools are in Gadsden City?
Besides Thompson Elementary School, Gadsden City also operates Gadsden City High School (1,361 students), Gadsden Middle School (438 students), and Adams Elementary School (433 students). See the Gadsden City district page for the complete list.