Rainbow City’s public schools outscore 74% of Alabama districts
55% of students in Rainbow City’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Alabama average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rainbow City, 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.
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.
Rainbow City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 266 Alabama towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rainbow City’s, its schools beat 79%, higher than their 74% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 55% and math 26% in spring 2022, against 47% and 27% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,938 per student, against $13,926 across Alabama (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and six high 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.
What’s behind Rainbow City’s grade
B+: better than 74% of Alabama school districts, #50 of 187 Alabama towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Alabama average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rainbow City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Rainbow City
John S Jones Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 745 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Rainbow City
John S Jones Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 745 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Rainbow City
John S Jones Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 745 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Rainbow City
John S Jones Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 745 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Rainbow City
John S Jones Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 745 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Rainbow City
John S Jones Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 745 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Rainbow City
John S Jones Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 745 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Rainbow City
Rainbow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 634 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Rainbow City
Rainbow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 634 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rainbow City
Rainbow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 634 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Rainbow City’s public schools are run by Etowah County School District, which also serves Altoona, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff and Reece City 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.
Well above the state in reading
Rainbow City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Rainbow City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow City | B+ | Etowah County |
| Gadsden | C | Gadsden City |
| Steele | B− | St. Clair County |
Every school in Rainbow City
8 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).
Questions about Rainbow City’s schools
Are Rainbow City’s schools good?
By Alabama’s own tests, yes: the public schools Rainbow City children attend outscore 74% of Alabama’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #50 of 187 Alabama towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 79%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rainbow City in?
Etowah County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,739 students in 22 schools (2024–25).
Where do Rainbow City kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Southside High School, Sardis High School, Gaston High School, Hokes Bluff High School, West End High School and Glencoe High School.
What is Rainbow City’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Etowah County School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama.
How much does Rainbow City spend per student?
$11,938 in Etowah County School District (FY2024), against $13,926 across Alabama. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Rainbow City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rainbow City → 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.