- Rock Quarry Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 671 students
- Southview Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 644 students
- Verner Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 608 students
- University Place Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 570 students
- Woodland Forrest Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 544 students
- Martin L King Jr Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 467 students
- Skyland Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 459 students
- Arcadia Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 418 students
- Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary — Grades 1–5 · 324 students
- Oakdale Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 292 students
- Central Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 291 students
- Northridge Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 775 students
- Eastwood Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 711 students
- Westlawn Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 568 students
- Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle — Grades 6–8 · 173 students
- Northridge High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,153 students
- Paul W Bryant High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,134 students
- Central High School — Grades 9–12 · 796 students
- The Alberta School of Performing Arts — Grades PK–8 · 632 students
| Metric | Tuscaloosa City School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | — | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,200/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
About Tuscaloosa City School District
Tuscaloosa City School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 35404 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 35404. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Tuscaloosa City School District runs approximately $11,200 annually, placing it 18% above the Alabama state average of approximately $9,500 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Tuscaloosa City School District is a district of unknown size with multiple schools serving students from Pre-K–12th. Contact Tuscaloosa City School District to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Tuscaloosa City School District 6 out of 10 — average among Alabama public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Alabama is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Tuscaloosa City School District falls near the middle of Alabama on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 35404
Children in zip code 35404 are assigned to Tuscaloosa City School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 35404, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Tuscaloosa City School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Alabama districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Tuscaloosa
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Tuscaloosa City School District serves zip code 35404, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 35404 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Alabama, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Tuscaloosa City School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 35404.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Tuscaloosa City School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 35404 data.