Primary and Secondary Education

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Three public school systems and four private schools provide quality educational opportunities in Etowah County. Superintendents and principals encourage families to visit and inspect their schools, and will help ease the transitions of transferees’ children in their classes.

The Gadsden, Attalla and Etowah County school systems operate 36 schools with a combined enrollment of 16,178. The school systems are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Alabama Department of Education.

Computer-aided instruction begins in kindergarten. Programs in art, band, choral, drama, strings and graphic arts begin in elementary school and continue through high school; a number of these endeavors have won national awards of excellence. Sports programs have won state championships. Special programs are offered for both handicapped and gifted students. College credit is granted for advanced placement courses in high schools, which offer both advanced academic and career preparation diploma curricula.

To graduate, a student must pass a minimum of four units each of Math, Science, English and Social Studies, as well as pass all sections of a comprehensive state exit exam. Average ACT test scores are at the national average.

Residents voted to renew property taxes that are earmarked for the three school systems, by a margin exceeding 80%. The property taxes help pay for insurance on buildings, utility bills and supplements for coaches and band directors, among other items. The taxes amount to $90-100 annually on a $100,000 home, and will have to be renewed again in 2025.

Gadsden City Schools

The system operates 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, a high school, a career technical center and an alternative school. Total enrollment is 5,331. The new Gadsden City High School offers extensive curricula in foreign languages; a full slate of Advanced Placement courses; enhanced fine arts classes including drama, photography, strings, and multiple instrumental performance ensembles; as well as more career-technical courses such as engineering technology, web page design and video technologies. For additional details, click www.gcs.k12.al.us.

Attalla City Schools

The system operates an elementary school, middle school and high school. Total enrollment is 1,800. Click www.attalla.k12.al.us for more information.

Etowah County Schools

The system operates 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 6 high schools and a career technical center. Total enrollment is 9,047. The Etowah County School System ranks third among the state’s county school systems in academic performance. For additional information, click www.ecboe.org.

Private Schools