- Myrtlewood Elementary School — 6.3 mi · Grades PK–4 · 280 students
- Sipsey Valley High School — 7.6 mi · Grades 9–12 · 524 students
- Sipsey Valley Middle School — 7.7 mi · Grades 5–8 · 575 students
- Buhl Elementary School — 11.3 mi · Grades PK–4 · 206 students
- Westwood Elementary School — 12.3 mi · Grades PK–4 · 299 students
- Big Sandy Elementary — 12.5 mi · Grades PK–5 · 522 students
- Englewood Elementary School — 13.8 mi · Grades 3–5 · 522 students
- Flatwoods Elementary School — 14.4 mi · Grades PK–4 · 459 students
| Metric | Tuscaloosa County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 19,377 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 36 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,187/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 31% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa County School District (this district) | 6/10 | 51st | 19,377 |
| Greene County School District | 1/10 | 9th | 913 |
| Tuscaloosa City School District | 5/10 | 44th | 11,186 |
| Pickens County School District | 2/10 | 18th | 2,373 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 109 rated districts in AL → 51st percentile → 6/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Tuscaloosa County School District
Tuscaloosa County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 35480 in Ralph, Alabama. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 35480. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), Tuscaloosa County School District ranks among Alabama’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Alabama is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Tuscaloosa County School District falls near the middle of Alabama on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 35480
Children in zip code 35480 are assigned to Tuscaloosa County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 35480, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Tuscaloosa County School District at (205)758-0411 or visit www.tcss.net. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Alabama districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Ralph
For families considering a purchase in the Ralph area, district assignment matters financially. Because Tuscaloosa County School District serves zip code 35480, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 35480 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Alabama, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Tuscaloosa County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 35480.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Tuscaloosa County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 35480 data.