| Metric | Houston County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 6,883 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 15 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston County School District (this district) | 9/10 | 83rd | 6,883 |
| Huntsville City School District | 6/10 | 60th | 23,776 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 109 rated districts in AL → 83rd percentile → 9/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- Rehobeth Primary School — Grades PK–3 · 761 students
- Ashford Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 668 students
- Rehobeth Middle School — Grades 7–8 · 408 students
- Ashford Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 316 students
- Rehobeth High School — Grades 9–12 · 786 students
- Ashford High School — Grades 9–12 · 413 students
- Houston County Area Vocational Center — Grades 9–12
- Wicksburg Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 636 students
- Rehobeth Elementary School — Grades 4–6 · 590 students
- Cottonwood Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 502 students
- Wicksburg High School — Grades 7–12 · 461 students
- Webb Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 419 students
- Cottonwood High School — Grades 7–12 · 379 students
- Houston County High School — Grades 7–12 · 322 students
- Houston County Virtual Academy — Grades 3–12 · 246 students
- Houston County Alternative School — Grades K–12
About Houston County School District
Houston County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 36320 in Cottonwood, Alabama. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 36320. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
With a rating of 9/10 (excellent), Houston County School District ranks among Alabama’s top-tier-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.
Houston County School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Alabama on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 36320 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 36320
Children in zip code 36320 are assigned to Houston County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 36320, 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 Houston County School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. 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 Cottonwood
For families considering a purchase in the Cottonwood area, district assignment matters financially. Because Houston County School District serves zip code 36320, homes in and around zip code 36320 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Houston 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 36320.
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, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Houston County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 36320 data.