Tuscaloosa City School Facts

School System Facts

• Serves a city population of approximately 80,000 and a student population of more than 10,000
• Facilities currently include 19 campuses —nine elementary and two primary; three middle schools, each serving sixth, seventh and eighth grades; three neighborhood high schools; and special schools for career-technical education and special education
• School system received the “What Parents Want Most” award for the tenth consecutive year
• Personnel include 810 certified and 455 support employees. A majority of the certified personnel hold advanced degrees and 19 teachers have achieved National Board Certification.
• School system operates on an annual budget of 103 million dollars
• An expansive curriculum that challenges both the regular and advanced student, including Advanced Placement classes and an International Baccalaureate program
• All schools adopted by local businesses or organizations through The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama Adopt-A-School Program
• School Improvement Plans designed to ensure that standards are met for the Alabama High School Graduation Exam and Stanford Achievement Test
• After-school academic and recreational programs
• A comprehensive Guidance program for elementary and secondary students staffed by 24 certified counselors
• An innovative Career-Technical program designed to provide students with a firm academic and technological foundation for success in a changing world
• A Special Education program which provides services for students with special needs as well as gifted learners
• Emphasis on technology with at least two computers in every classroom and a computer lab in every school
• State-of-the-art facilities which enhance the learning process
• An Education Foundation formed with the goal to raise $2 million to implement curriculum innovations and new technology and provide grants for teachers

Elementary

• Nine elementary and two primary schools attended by students residing in specific attendance zones and those approved for transfer
• Strong and consistent academic programs
• Average teacher/pupil ratio of 1:15
• Read Well and Houghton Mifflin core reading programs as well as other strategies and supplementary programs including Accelerated Reader, prekindergarten, reading coaches, and America Reads tutors
• Oakdale Primary and Central Primary are primary schools serving prekindergarten through second grade students. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary is paired with these schools serving third through fifth grades. Oakdale has been recognized as the recipient of the Laura Bush Award and Alabama Banner School designation by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools
• Gifted programs for accelerated learners
• Art and music teachers serving elementary schools on a rotating basis. Additional enriching fine arts programs provided by Tuscaloosa Arts Council and Children ’s Theatre.
• Physical education teachers, librarians, counselors and social workers
• All schools are literacy demonstration sites certified by the Alabama Reading Initiative. Alberta Elementary and Northington Elementary are recipients of the Alabama First Initiative grant to boost student reading scores.

Middle School

• Curriculum planned to provide a smooth transition from elementary to secondary school
• Instructional program designed to meet the needs and interests of adolescents
• Programs designed with the “schools within a school” concept. Students are placed on teams at the sixth, seventh and eighth grade levels.
• Elective courses in classes such as art, band, choral music, computers, Career Technology, Family and Consumer Science and Reading, and Exploratory Strings in Schools
• Average teacher/pupil ratio of 1:17

High School

• Strong curriculum which offers numerous and varied advanced courses
• Daily four-period block schedule; two terms per year
• Average teacher/pupil ratio of 1:18
• Seventy percent of graduates attend two- or four-year colleges after graduation; twenty-five percent attend vocational/technical schools.
• Consistent recipient of largest number of Merit Scholars in West Alabama in the National Merit Scholarship Program and National Achievement Scholarship Program
• Student scholarships totaling approximately 5.5 million dollars
• Advanced Placement program which allows students to enroll in advanced classes and receive college credit in United States History, American Government, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Art, Spanish, French, Calculus, Psychology and English
• Nationally recognized American Studies program offered at all three high schools
• International Baccalaureate Program; one of four programs in the state of Alabama

Five-Year Facilities Plan

The Tuscaloosa City Schools has implemented an aggressive Five-Year Plan to meet the needs of the community and students of Tuscaloosa. Four new schools were added in 2003 and the new Central High School opened in 2006. New Westlawn Middle, Rock Quarry Middle, and University Place Middle Schools will open in 2008. The new south elementary school and south middle schools wll meet in the former Tuscaloosa Middle School during the 2008-2009 school year and move to a new building when it is completed for the 2009-2010 school year.

Accreditation

All of the Tuscaloosa City Schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the State Department of Education. Schools which meet the standards required for accreditation guarantee parents higher quality public educational programs for their children.

Academic Excellence

As part of the quest for excellence, academic competitions have created much enthusiasm among students. Students match skills locally and statewide in spirited competition. Results from these endeavors have proved rewarding for students and faculty. In addition to representing the Tuscaloosa City Schools and earning recognition, students sharpen academic skills and learn the art of competition. State or national victories have been claimed in video production, math, science and foreign languages. Awards also have been received in creative writing, drama, spelling, art, band, chorus, yearbook and newspaper.

Athletic Success

A winning tradition has been established in athletics for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Proven to be competitive at the state level in every sport, students have claimed numerous state championships as well as honors in football, basketball, golf, tennis, track, soccer, softball and baseball.

Personnel Recognition

Many of the accomplishments made in the Tuscaloosa City Schools can be attributed to the competent personnel employed in the system. Of the 810 certified personnel, a majority have earned a master's degree, specialist's certificate, specialist's degree or doctorate degree
Teachers, administrators and programs in the Tuscaloosa City Schools have been chosen as district, state and national winners of prestigious awards, such as Magna Award, Alfa Award, Milken Foundation National Education Award, National Distinguished Principal, Jacksonville State University Teacher Hall of Fame, Alabama Teacher of the Year, Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, State Special Education Teacher of the Year, State Physical Education Teacher of the Year, State Economics Teacher of the Year, Girl Scouts Women Committed to Excellence, Capstone College of Education Outstanding Educator, Alabama PTA Outstanding Elementary Educator, Sallie Mae First-year Teacher Award, Kennedy Center Arts Alliance state winner and Fulbright Scholar and Exchange Programs

Parent Involvement

The enthusiastic involvement and support of parents and community members have proved instrumental to the growth and success of the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Active Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) in all schools give much support to the school system. Local PTAs consistently receive recognition and awards in the Alabama Congress of Parents and Teachers awards program. Numerous volunteers provide individual help to students and facilitate communication between the schools and community.

For additional information, contact:
Tuscaloosa City Schools
P.O. Box 038991 - 1210 21st Avenue - Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35403
Phone: 205-759-3703 Fax: 205-759-3542
Website: www.tuscaloosacityschools.com
CIA2 Curriculum Alignment: www.online.tusc.k12.al.us
August 2005