The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in English language arts. The lowest is 64% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Westwood Elementary School
Westwood Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through fourth grade in Coker, a small rural town in Tuscaloosa County. The school is part of the Tuscaloosa County School System, which the town’s own website describes as one of the best in the state, though no specific district-level strategic initiatives or recent changes were found during research. The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet.
Coker is a quiet, predominantly residential community with limited commercial activity, located a short drive from Northport and Tuscaloosa, where most shopping, dining, and employment opportunities are found. Residents are car-dependent, and the town’s civic infrastructure is minimal, with a volunteer fire department, law enforcement provided by the county sheriff, and a town hall open only two mornings a week. Lake Lurleen State Park offers nearby outdoor recreation. The population has been relatively stable or slightly declining, and housing values have risen along with regional trends rather than from local development pressure. Families considering Westwood should expect a rural setting where daily needs require a drive into the larger neighboring cities.
The school has a small enrollment, serving just over three hundred students across pre-K through fourth grade. The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller Hispanic population and very small numbers of Black students and students of two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a moderate level of economic need. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school about support for those populations directly.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, Westwood’s third and fourth graders showed strong results. In English language arts, a large majority of both grades scored at the proficient level. In math, roughly two-thirds of students in each grade were proficient. Science is tested only in fourth grade, where a similar share met the proficiency bar. When compared across districts in Tuscaloosa County, Westwood’s combined proficiency index landed in the top quartile, placing the school well above the median among its county peers. This performance level is a clear strength for a school of this size and grade range.
Because Westwood only serves early elementary grades, there is no graduation rate or high school data to report. The school does not administer assessments in pre-K or kindergarten, so the testing picture is limited to the grades that are tested. There was no information available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or course access, so a family with specific concerns about these areas would need to follow up with the school or district directly.
For a family settling in rural Coker, Westwood presents a solid academic foundation in the elementary years, with proficiency rates that stand out within the county. The school is small enough that students are likely to be well known to staff, and the early grade span means children move on to other schools in the Tuscaloosa County system after fourth grade. The surrounding community offers a quiet, low-key lifestyle, but families should be comfortable with the commute to Northport or Tuscaloosa for most services, shopping, and secondary schooling options.
See more original research from School Decision →