The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Colbert Heights High School
Colbert Heights High School is a regular public school serving seventh through twelfth grade in Tuscumbia, a small city that serves as the county seat of Colbert County. The school is part of the Colbert County school system, not the separate Tuscumbia city district, and sits in a setting that is part residential and part rural. Tuscumbia itself is one of four cities in the Shoals metropolitan area, with a historic downtown, a significant industrial base, and a mix of older homes and newer development. The school’s address places it on Woodmont Drive, outside the core downtown.
The student body is small for a school covering both middle and high school grades. Nearly all students identify as White, with small shares of Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students. About two out of five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure that places the school in a moderate range economically. Data on the share of students with individualized education programs or who are English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school about special education and language support directly.
State testing results are available only for seventh and eighth grade, the grades in this building that take the Alabama ACAP assessments. High school–level state tests for older students were not reported in the data reviewed. In math, proficiency rates were well below half in both tested grades, and in science the eighth-grade rate was similarly low. English language arts was the relative strength: seventh graders posted a solid rate, while eighth graders were near the halfway mark. Because only a single year of data was provided, there is no trend to examine; the school has not yet accumulated a track record in the available state assessments.
No graduation rate was reported for Colbert Heights High School. Since the school includes grades eleven and twelve, this is a notable gap. A family considering this school would want to ask directly about four-year graduation and postsecondary outcomes. Chronic absenteeism data was also missing, as was any information about course access, staffing, or disciplinary incidents. The available academic picture is therefore incomplete and centers on the middle grades.
Comparing the school to other districts in Colbert County—a small set of four districts—the overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint of that group. This places Colbert Heights behind the typical performance among its county peers, though the comparison is limited to the middle school results that are shared across districts.
The housing context in the area reflects a modest market. Typical home values are below both the state and national averages, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment is relatively low compared to rent, suggesting that buying may be more affordable than renting. The area has seen a modest population increase in recent years, and the city’s land area grew slightly, hinting at some annexation or boundary changes.
The school’s program offerings were not listed in the provided data. There is no evidence of specialty programs, magnet status, or career and technical education pathways. The school is a regular public school without charter status. A parent or resident would need to contact the school or visit its website to learn about electives, Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, or vocational options.
In short, Colbert Heights High School is a small, predominantly White school in a mixed industrial and historic small city. Academic performance in the middle grades is uneven, with ELA showing some strength and math and science lagging. The lack of high school outcome data, including graduation rate, is a significant missing piece. Families who want a full picture of what this school offers beyond the early high school years should seek that information from the school directly.
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