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Downtown NewtonPhoto: Ecjmartin1 · Public domain
A
Schools in Newton · Dale County School District

Newton’s public schools outscore 85% of Alabama districts

Math proficiency in Newton’s districts is 39%, above the Alabama average (27%). The grade covers the public school district serving Newton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alabama, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Alabama state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
52%
▲ 5 pts vs AL 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
39%
▲ 12 pts vs AL 27%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 5–10 pts vs AL 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.6K
▼ 10% vs AL $13.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.6
AL 17.0 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
1,969 students on the public path
In brief

Newton’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 253 Alabama towns with household incomes within a quarter of Newton’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 85% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 52% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 47% and 27% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,568 per student, against $13,926 across Alabama (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then three middle schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Newton’s grade

A− Test scoresA Graduation

A: better than 85% of Alabama school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Alabama average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Alabama school districts we grade (146)Better than 85%
Lower resultsHigher results
Alabama towns with similar household incomes (253)Better than 96%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,675 test results and a graduating class of 197 could put Newton anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Newton’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,674 in math, 1,676 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Newton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–6Newton Elementary SchoolDale County School DistrictA
7–123 schoolsDepends on your addressB to A

Newton’s public schools are run by Dale County School District, which also serves Ariton, Grimes, Midland City and Napier Field and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Dale County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 3,376 students, up 3% since 2022–23 · 18.6 per teacher (AL 17.0)
$12,568AL $13,926 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading52%
State average 47.3% · 1676 students tested
Math39%
State average 27.2% · 1674 students tested

Newton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Newton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NewtonADale County
Pinckard—Dale County

Every school in Newton

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alabama’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Newtonby address
Newton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
A
293 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Newtonin other towns
Ariton School
Grades PK–12 · Ariton
A−
887 students18:1Rate it →
South Dale Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Pinckard
B
412 students22:1Rate it →
George W Long High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Skipperville
A
377 students18:1Rate it →

Questions about Newton’s schools

Are Newton’s schools good?

By Alabama’s own tests, yes: the public schools Newton children attend outscore 85% of Alabama’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Newton in?

Dale County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,376 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

What is Newton’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Dale County School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama.

How much does Newton spend per student?

$12,568 in Dale County School District (FY2024), against $13,926 across Alabama. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Newton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Newton → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alabama. Stars are from neighbors.