Photo: CarolinePope22 · CC BY-SA 4.0Southside’s public schools outscore 74% of Alabama districts
In Southside, 55% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the Alabama average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Southside, 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.
Southside’s schools, in brief
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 six middle and one high school
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 Southside’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 Southside, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Southside
Southside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Southside
Southside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 17:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Southside
Southside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 17:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Southside
Southside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 17:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Southside
Southside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 17:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Southside
Southside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 17:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Southside
Southside Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Southside
Southside High School
Grades 9–12 · 825 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Southside
Southside High School
Grades 9–12 · 825 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Southside
Southside High School
Grades 9–12 · 825 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Southside
Southside High School
Grades 9–12 · 825 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Southside’s public schools are run by Etowah County School District, which also serves Altoona, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff and Rainbow City and others. Parts of Southside (3% of its land) are served by Calhoun County instead. 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
Southside vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Southside’s borders.
Every school in Southside
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 Southside’s schools
Are Southside’s schools good?
By Alabama’s own tests, yes: the public schools Southside 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 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Southside in?
Etowah County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,739 students in 22 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Southside are served by Calhoun County.
Where do Southside kids go to high school?
Southside High School, with 825 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Southside’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 Southside 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 Southside families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Southside → 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.