Three
public school systems and five 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
technical 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.
In February 2005, residents voted to renew property taxes that are earmarked
for the three school systems, by margins 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 20 years.
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 a primary school, intermediate 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
|
| Coosa Christian
Schools |
256-547-3714 |
| Episcopal
Day School |
256-546-0920 |
| Lighthouse
Christian Academy |
256-547-5187 |
| St. James
Catholic School |
256-546-0132 |
| Westbrook
Christian School |
256-442-7457 |
In addition, local churches and other establishments offer pre-school
and kindergarten programs. Click Child
Care for a list.
