The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in English language arts. The lowest is 27% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Donehoo Elementary School
Donehoo Elementary School is a regular public school in Gadsden, Alabama, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Gadsden City district. This is a neighborhood elementary school with a relatively small enrollment, and its academic profile, student composition, and local context give a clear picture of what families can expect.
On state assessments from the most recent year available, Donehoo’s results vary by subject. In English language arts, the school performs at a level that many parents would consider solid for an elementary school: a majority of students met proficiency in third grade, and the rate was similar in fourth and fifth grades. Math proficiency is lower: about half of fifth graders were proficient, while the shares in third and fourth grade were somewhat lower. Science results are a notable soft spot, with proficiency in fourth grade at roughly a quarter. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it above the midpoint among districts in Etowah County, meaning it outpaces the median in its immediate local comparison. Still, the science scores are noticeably weaker than the ELA results, and a parent may want to ask the school how science instruction is being addressed.
Donehoo’s enrollment is small for an elementary school. The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial share of Hispanic students, a smaller share of White students, and a handful of Asian and multiracial students. The economic profile is clear: a very large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, giving the school a high-poverty context. No data were available on the share of students with disabilities or English learners, which is a gap a parent may want to fill by contacting the school directly.
The school is located on East Broad Street in Gadsden, a mid-sized city that was once a center of heavy industry and has undergone decades of economic restructuring. The city’s population has declined over time, and underemployment remains a noted problem. The downtown area along Broad Street has seen revitalization efforts and includes cultural attractions, but much of the city is car-dependent outside the core. Housing values in the area are modest compared to state and national averages, and the cost of a home is well below the national benchmark, which may be a factor for families considering a move. The Gadsden City district did not have any recent parent-relevant changes reported, so there is little to note about district-level shifts in programs, boundaries, or policy.
For a parent evaluating Donehoo, the school offers a small, neighborhood setting with a diverse student body and a clear economic need context. The academic picture is mixed: reading proficiency is generally a strength relative to math, and science is an area that needs attention. The school’s overall standing compared to other elementary schools in Etowah County is solid, not exceptional. Families who place a priority on strong early literacy may find Donehoo’s ELA results reassuring, while those concerned about math and science may want to learn more about the school’s curriculum and support structures. The absence of data on special populations and chronic absenteeism is a limit on what this profile can say, so direct inquiry would be wise. The Gadsden community itself offers a mix of industrial heritage and ongoing transition, with housing that is relatively affordable and a downtown that is walkable but limited in scale. This school fits a family looking for a small, economically diverse elementary school with some academic strengths and some clear areas for growth.
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