For the 2025 school year, there are 25 public schools serving 8,175 students in Colbert County, AL (there are 2 private schools, serving 253 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Colbert County, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Colbert County, AL are Mcbride Elementary School, Muscle Shoals Middle School and New Bethel Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colbert County, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Alabama public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Colbert County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public school average of 49% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Colbert County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mcbride Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1400 Avalon Ave
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2610
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2610
Grades: 3-5
| 631 students
Rank: #22.
Muscle Shoals Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Trojan Dr
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2640
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2640
Grades: 6-8
| 638 students
Rank: #33.
New Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
900 New Bethel Road
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 383-6471
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 383-6471
Grades: PK-6
| 158 students
Rank: #44.
R E Thompson Intermediate School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
829 Frankfort Rd
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2930
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2930
Grades: 3-5
| 355 students
Rank: #55.
Colbert Heights Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1551 Sunset Dr
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 381-6132
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 381-6132
Grades: PK-6
| 491 students
Rank: #66.
Muscle Shoals High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1900 E Avalon Ave
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2682
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2682
Grades: 9-12
| 874 students
Rank: #77.
Hatton Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2130 Hatton School Rd
Leighton, AL 35646
(256) 446-5679
Leighton, AL 35646
(256) 446-5679
Grades: PK-6
| 234 students
Rank: #88.
L E Willson Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2200 31st St
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 386-5730
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 386-5730
Grades: 3-6
| 240 students
Rank: #99.
Deshler Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
598 N High St
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2920
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2920
Grades: 6-8
| 345 students
Rank: #1010.
Cherokee Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1305 North Pike
Cherokee, AL 35616
(256) 359-6422
Cherokee, AL 35616
(256) 359-6422
Grades: PK-6
| 221 students
Rank: #1111.
Colbert Heights High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6825 Woodmont Dr
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 383-7875
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 383-7875
Grades: 7-12
| 483 students
Rank: #1212.
Sheffield Junior High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1803 30th St
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 386-5735
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 386-5735
Grades: 7-8
| 149 students
Rank: #1313.
Cherokee High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
850 High School Dr
Cherokee, AL 35616
(256) 359-4434
Cherokee, AL 35616
(256) 359-4434
Grades: 7-12
| 210 students
Rank: #1414.
Leighton Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8100 Old Highway 20
Leighton, AL 35646
(256) 446-8351
Leighton, AL 35646
(256) 446-8351
Grades: PK-6
| 375 students
Rank: #1515.
Colbert County High School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2200 High School St
Leighton, AL 35646
(256) 446-8214
Leighton, AL 35646
(256) 446-8214
Grades: 7-12
| 473 students
Rank: #1616.
Deshler High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 N Commons East
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2910
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2910
Grades: 9-12
| 472 students
Rank: #1717.
Sheffield High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2800 19th Ave
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 383-6052
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 383-6052
Grades: 9-12
| 281 students
Rank: n/an/a
Deshler Alternative School
Alternative School
200 North Commons East
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2900
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2900
Grades: 4-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Deshler Career Technical Center
Vocational School
200 N Commons East
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2900
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2900
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
601 Joe Wheeler Hwy
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2940
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2940
Grades: PK-2
| 428 students
Rank: n/an/a
714 Elmhurst St
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2620
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2620
Grades: 1-2
| 226 students
Rank: n/an/a
3201 Alabama Ave
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2630
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2630
Grades: PK-K
| 336 students
Rank: n/an/a
Muscle Shoals Career Academy
Vocational School
321 Jim Holland Drive
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2660
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2660
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
900 Annapolis Avenue
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 386-5720
Sheffield, AL 35660
(256) 386-5720
Grades: PK-2
| 323 students
Rank: n/an/a
200 Webster Ave
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2650
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 389-2650
Grades: 1-2
| 232 students
Colbert County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
4595 Old Lee Highway
Cherokee, AL 35616
(256) 359-6432
Cherokee, AL 35616
(256) 359-6432
Grades: 5-8
| n/a students
T V Y S D F (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
2216 Missouri St
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2900
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
(256) 389-2900
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Colbert County, AL?
The top ranked public schools in Colbert County, AL include Mcbride Elementary School, Muscle Shoals Middle School and New Bethel Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Colbert County?
25 public schools are located in Colbert County.
What percentage of students in Colbert County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Colbert County are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Colbert County?
Colbert County public schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public schools average of 49% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Colbert County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Colbert County include: Webster Elementary School vs. Highland Park Elementary School, Deshler High School vs. Muscle Shoals High School, Leighton Elementary School vs. Hatton Elementary School
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