Cottonwood High School vs. Heard Elementary School
Should you attend Cottonwood High School or Heard Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Top Rankings
Cottonwood High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Heard Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Overview
Cottonwood High School ranked #831 in Alabama in 2023, declining from #362 in 2015 and remaining in the bottom 50% overall statewide.
Graduation rate was 95% in 2023, higher than the state average of 88% and among the top 5% in Alabama.
Math proficiency was 21% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, declining from 49% in 2019; reading proficiency ranged 30–34% in 2022, lower than the state average of 47%.
Science proficiency was 25–29% in 2022, lower than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment decreased from 760 students in 2021 to 396 in 2023 with a student–teacher ratio of 17:1; minority enrollment was 24%, and 64% of students were eligible for free lunch in 2023.
Heard Elementary School, a Dothan City public school serving grades K–6, ranked #592 in Alabama in 2023, declining from a peak rank of #1 in 2010 and #2013.
Math proficiency at the school was 20–24%, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 45–49%, approximately equal to the state average of 47%; science proficiency was 20–29%, lower than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment decreased slightly to 361 students in 2023 with a student–teacher ratio of 18:1; 68% of students qualified for free lunch, up from 55% in 2022, indicating a rise in socioeconomic need.
Minority enrollment was 67%, contributing to the school's status among the top 20% most diverse schools in Alabama; the student body included 185 Black, 119 White, 25 Hispanic, and 11 Asian/Pacific Islander students.
Blue Ribbon Schools
-
Yes
Grades Offered
7-12
K-6
Total Students
396 students
361 students
% Male | % Female
55% | 45%
54% | 46%
Total Classroom Teachers
23 teachers
20 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
18:1
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#831 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
#592 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
20-24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
45-49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
20-29%
Graduation Rate
≥95%
n/a
n/a
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Kindergarten Students
-
65
Grade 1 Students
-
66
Grade 2 Students
-
60
Grade 3 Students
-
50
Grade 4 Students
-
44
Grade 5 Students
-
39
Grade 6 Students
-
37
Grade 7 Students
63
-
Grade 8 Students
84
-
Grade 9 Students
70
-
Grade 10 Students
62
-
Grade 11 Students
52
-
Grade 12 Students
65
-
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
2%
3%
% Hispanic
6%
7%
% Black
13%
51%
% White
76%
33%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
Diversity Score
0.40
0.63
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
64%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
7%
