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Education

Tuscaloosa County is served by two public school systems, the Tuscaloosa City System and the Tuscaloosa County System.

The Tuscaloosa City School system is home to more than 10,000 students, from Pre-K to high school. The system’s facilities include 22 schools: two primary, 10 elementary, five middle schools, three high schools and a unique secondary program for students with special needs, a program for career and technical education.

In 2007, students received more than $13 million in scholarships. In fact, students in the Tuscaloosa City Schools are consistently recognized by national scholar programs. Preparing students for college starts early: the Tuscaloosa City Schools system has historically supported Pre-K education, but a recent partnership with the City of Tuscaloosa and higher education has expanded the program to include almost 300 children.

The system provides specialized programs with unique curricula such as the Pre-Kindergarten program for “at-risk” students, the American Studies Program, a College Board Advanced Placement Program, and an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. These programs are offered in addition to the standard and advanced curriculum. In fall 2009, the system’s academic magnet school will open its doors to a K-8 population.

The collaborative efforts of parents, schools and community have created one of the most outstanding systems in the state. That collaboration has ensured for the 11th consecutive year, the system being awarded “What Parents Want Most” by the research firm, SchoolMatch.

Since 1871, the Tuscaloosa County School system has provided educational opportunities for students that currently number more than 17,000. The system’s facilities include 29 schools: one primary school, 15 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five high schools, and one center for special needs students.

Tuscaloosa County School System students are frequently recognized for their hard work and dedication. Approximately 33% of the graduates from our five high schools consistently obtain more than $7 million in scholarships and achieve distinction in colleges and universities throughout the country.

The system provides specialized programs with specific curricula such as the Sprayberry Regional Education Center, which serves two distinct bodies of students. In one section, highly trained teachers and therapists work with young people who have moderate to severe handicaps. In the other section, dedicated teachers work with gifted students who come to the TARGET program once a week to be challenged in special ways.

Ninety-eight percent of the teachers in the Tuscaloosa County School System are highly qualified, as determined by the No Child Left Behind legislation. During the 2008 school year, five teachers achieved the teaching profession’s highest standard of becoming certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. National Board Certification is supported by the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education because they believe that quality teaching is the key to improved student achievement. The Tuscaloosa County School System has one of the highest totals of teachers in Alabama who have achieved National Board Certification as employees of the Tuscaloosa County School System, with 43 teachers. Achieving National Board Certification demonstrates a true dedication to the profession of teaching and most importantly, dedication to students.

The Tuscaloosa School District also has more All-State School Board Members than any other school district in the state of Alabama with 12 members inducted in a row. The system has also had nine state finalists and one inductee into the Jacksonville State Teacher Hall of Fame as well as one state finalist for the Alabama State Teacher of the Year.

Both school systems receive strong and consistent support from the business community. Perhaps the flagship effort in this regard is the Adopt-A-School Program, a 23-year-old progeny of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

Approximately 80 businesses, industries and organizations, often singly, sometimes in pairs or trios, work with all individual schools in the County System and the City System. The program is managed at the Chamber with help from an all-volunteer Steering Committee.

The Chamber is also involved in other efforts to prepare young people for life after formal education. The CHOICES program involves volunteers from businesses going to eighth-grade classes for an interactive discussion of the importance of making good choices. The Forerunners Program is a leadership development program, patterned after the adult version, Leadership Tuscaloosa, which helps approximately 40 students each year learn about various aspects of their community.

Tuscaloosa County also has some innovative and successful private schools. Some are religious-based; some are college preparatory. They include Tuscaloosa Academy, The Capitol School, American Christian Academy, Holy Spirit Catholic School, and Open Door School.

The Capitol School has a national and international reputation because of its multiple intelligence curriculum and outstanding faculty. It is one of only 10 internationally accredited schools in the Southeast, and has had students from nearly three-dozen countries enrolled.

Regardless of what high school they graduate from, those students who want a higher level of academic work are provided with some great options in their own hometown.