Total enrollment
8,178
+262 (+3%) vs SY 2020-21
Colbert County
Alabama · Public K-12
Public education in Colbert County reaches 8,178 students across 25 schools. Muscle Shoals City is the largest district at 2,979 students. The level mix is 13 elementary, 3 middle, and 8 high schools.
4-year change in Colbert County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
22
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Colbert County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Alabama | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 45.6% | #19 of 64 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 8,178 | #27 of 65 | #943 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 22 | #18 of 65 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.5:1 | #3 of 65 | #1,916 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 50.0% | #54 of 65 | #1,615 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 51.7% | #33 of 64 | #1,020 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Colbert County school rankings
Residents
58,022
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
25
4 districts
Enrollment
8,178
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$60,628
Above Alabama avg
Free/reduced lunch
50.0%
Below Alabama avg
Elementary
13
4,305 students
Middle
3
1,105 students
High
8
2,768 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Muscle Shoals City
2,979 students · 4 districts in Colbert County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Colbert County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
21.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.1%
civilian labor
Median age
43
21.3% under 18
Test scores in Colbert County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 17 schools ranked. Alabama state average: 53.0%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- McBride Elementary School· 81.6%
- New Bethel Elementary School· 80.8%
- Muscle Shoals Middle School· 75.7%
- Cherokee Elementary School· 70.2%
- Hatton Elementary School· 69.2%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Sheffield High School· 11.8%
- Colbert County High School· 36.0%
- Muscle Shoals High School· 37.4%
- Sheffield Junior High School· 40.8%
- L E Willson Elementary School· 44.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals High School | Muscle Shoals | High | 09-12 | 864 | · |
| McBride Elementary School | Muscle Shoals | Elementary | 03-05 | 647 | · |
| Muscle Shoals Middle School | Muscle Shoals | Middle | 06-08 | 642 | · |
| Deshler High School | Tuscumbia | High | 09-12 | 488 | · |
| Colbert Heights Elementary School | Tuscumbia | Elementary | PK-06 | 486 | · |
| Colbert Heights High School | Tuscumbia | High | 07-12 | 467 | · |
| Colbert County High School | Leighton | High | 07-12 | 438 | · |
| G W Trenholm Primary School | Tuscumbia | Elementary | PK-02 | 413 | · |
| R E Thompson Intermediate School | Tuscumbia | Elementary | 03-05 | 360 | · |
| Howell Graves Preschool | Muscle Shoals | Elementary | PK-KG | 356 | · |
| Leighton Elementary School | Leighton | Elementary | PK-06 | 355 | · |
| WA Threadgill Primary School | Sheffield | Elementary | PK-02 | 344 | · |
| Deshler Middle School | Tuscumbia | Middle | 06-08 | 336 | · |
| Sheffield High School | Sheffield | High | 09-12 | 305 | · |
| L E Willson Elementary School | Sheffield | Elementary | 03-06 | 253 | · |
| Hatton Elementary School | Leighton | Elementary | PK-06 | 236 | · |
| Highland Park Elementary School | Muscle Shoals | Elementary | 01-02 | 236 | · |
| Webster Elementary School | Muscle Shoals | Elementary | 01-02 | 234 | · |
| Cherokee Elementary School | Cherokee | Elementary | PK-06 | 226 | · |
| Cherokee High School | Cherokee | High | 07-12 | 206 | · |
| New Bethel Elementary School | Tuscumbia | Elementary | PK-06 | 159 | · |
| Sheffield Junior High School | Sheffield | Middle | 07-08 | 127 | · |
| Deshler Alternative School | Tuscumbia | Combined | 04-12 | · | · |
| Deshler Career Technical Center | Tuscumbia | High | 09-12 | · | · |
| Muscle Shoals Career Academy | Muscle Shoals | High | 09-12 | · | · |
Cities in Colbert County
About Colbert County
Colbert County is a sparse county of about 58,022 residents in Alabama. Its public-school system educates approximately 8,178 students across 25 schools.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $60,628, 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 14%. That income level is 9% meaningfully above the Alabama median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Colbert County spans 13 elementary schools (4,305 students), 3 middle schools (1,105), 8 high schools (2,768), and 1 combined or other schools.
Muscle Shoals City is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,979 students across Colbert County.
Over the past 4-year window. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment increased 3%: 7,916 students in SY 2020-21 versus 8,178 in SY 2024-25.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Colbert County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data