The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in English language arts. The lowest is 68% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Crestline Elementary School
Crestline Elementary School is a regular public school in Hartselle, Alabama, serving children from prekindergarten through fourth grade. It is one of three elementary schools in the Hartselle City School District and sits in a residential area of a small city that has grown steadily as a commuter community for the Decatur and Huntsville metro areas. For a family looking at early-elementary options, the school presents a clear academic strength, a composition that reflects the surrounding town, and a setting where the district is investing in facilities.
On state assessments, Crestline’s performance in English language arts stands out as a strong point. The school’s proficiency rates in reading and writing across the tested grades are notably high, well above what a parent might typically see in a school of this size and grade range. Math proficiency is solid, though a step below ELA, and science proficiency, measured only in fourth grade, is also strong. Taking all tested subjects together, Crestline’s overall proficiency index places it above the other elementary schools in the Hartselle City district and among the leading schools relative to districts across Morgan County. Because this is a single year of data, no trend is yet visible, but the first snapshot is favorable.
The student body is large for an elementary school, with enrollment spread across grades pre-K through four. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is substantial, meaning a meaningful portion of families are in moderate- or lower-income circumstances, though the school is not a high-poverty Title I school by designation. Racially and ethnically, the student population is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not reported in the available records, so a parent with a child who may need those supports would want to ask the school directly about special education staffing and ESOL services.
Hartselle itself is a small, growing city that markets a historic downtown and a "Southern Hospitality" character. Its population has increased in recent years, driven largely by people commuting to nearby industrial and commercial centers. Housing values in the area are close to the statewide median and below the national median, which may make the community more accessible for families seeking a lower-cost home near a school with strong academic results. The typical commute time is longer than the national average because a large share of residents travel to Decatur or Huntsville for work. Parks, a civic center, and annual festivals provide recreational anchors, but outside the downtown core the layout is suburban and car-dependent.
The Hartselle City School District reported a significant construction spending total in a recent fiscal year, indicating that major capital improvement projects are happening. A parent attending Crestline might see the effects in school building upgrades or renovations. No specific referendum or project scope was available in the public record, so it is worth asking the district office what those funds have supported and whether Crestline is slated for any near-term work.
Because Crestline ends at fourth grade, fifth grade moves to a separate junior high school in the district. There is no graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism or discipline data were available. The school offers no special magnet theme or charter status, and no extended-day or specialized program data were provided. For a family weighing whether this school fits, the core evidence is straightforward: Crestline delivers above-average early-grade academics, especially in reading, in a mid-sized community with moderate housing costs and a commuter lifestyle. A parent whose priority is strong foundational literacy will find a school that delivers on that front. Anyone with a child who needs particular special education or language support will want to press for details the public data do not cover.
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