TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) announced Thursday that it has earned its highest score in district history on the 2026 Alabama State Report Card.
Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.
The Alabama State Department of Education released its annual report cards Thursday, with TCS receiving an 88 (B), a two-point increase from last year's score of 86.
The district has improved eight points since 2023, when it received an 80, and school officials say the latest results reflect continued academic progress across the system.
"This year's report card demonstrates that our students are achieving at high levels and that the work happening in our classrooms is making a difference," TCS Superintendent Mike Daria said. "We are proud of our progress, but what matters most is what it means for our students."
Three schools earned perfect scores of 100 on this year's report card: Rock Quarry Elementary School, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Elementary and Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Middle.
For Rock Quarry Elementary and Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Elementary, the results marked the second consecutive year each school received a perfect score.
Four additional schools improved by an entire letter grade, including Central High School, Eastwood Middle School, Northridge Middle School and Southview Elementary School.
Northridge Middle School earned a 90 (A), improving from an 87 last year, while Verner Elementary School received a 98 (A).
Among the district's most significant improvements was Central Elementary School, which earned an 88 (B), representing a 25-point increase from its score of 63 (D) in 2022.
District officials highlighted the school's improvement as noteworthy given the economic challenges facing many families in the community it serves.
Woodland Forrest Elementary School also continued its upward trajectory, earning an 89 (B), compared to an 85 last year and a 72 in 2022.
"Academic excellence doesn't happen by accident," Daria said. "These results reflect the dedication of our teachers, school leaders, support staff, students and families. They also demonstrate that students across our district have more ways to achieve, more ways to grow and more ways to prepare for their futures."
The latest scores come as TCS continues working toward its stated goal of becoming an A-rated district.
In addition to traditional academic offerings, the district says it provides advanced coursework, International Baccalaureate programs, free dual enrollment opportunities, career and technical education, fine arts and athletics.
District leaders say those programs are intended to give students multiple pathways toward college and career readiness.
"When families choose TCS, they're choosing more than a school," Daria said. "They're choosing a school system committed to academic excellence, with opportunities that help students discover their strengths, pursue their interests and prepare for success."
Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Tuscaloosa Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.