Arcadia Elementary School

Arcadia Elementary School is a public neighborhood school in Tuscaloosa City Schools, serving grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5. Located at 3740 Arcadia Drive near the University of Alabama campus, it enrolls about 400-420 students with a student-teacher ratio around 16-1. Established in 1966, Arcadia holds strong community ties and aims to offer a warm, nurturing atmosphere alongside rigorous academic support. The school provides core instruction in reading, writing, math, social studies, science, and enrichment services including a Gifted & Talented program. About half the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. Led by Principal Gladys Wright, the school emphasizes foundational skill development, inclusion, and preparing students to advance to Eastwood Middle and Paul W. Bryant High. Arcadia’s school colors include its mascot “The Little Stampede.”

A teacher at Arcadia Elementary, Amanda Liles, received the Kathy Perkins Award for Accomplished Teaching in 2025, recognizing excellence in instruction.

The school continues to perform above average compared to many in Alabama: its GreatSchools rating is 8/10 for its academic and student life metrics.

Q1. What is the demographic makeup of Arcadia Elementary?

A1. Approximate composition: ~67% Black/African American, ~16.9% White, ~12.2% Hispanic/Latino, with smaller percentages from other racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Q2. What portion of students receive free or reduced-price lunch?

A2. About 53% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Q3. How proficient are students academically in reading and math?

A3. Recent test score proficiency is approximately 32% in reading and 17% in mathematics.

Q4. What is the total enrollment and grade span?

A4. There are about 420 students enrolled, grades Pre-K through 5.

Q5. Is Arcadia designated as a Title I school and what does that mean here?

A5. Yes — Arcadia is a Title I school, which means it receives federal support to help students in low-income households, offering additional resources to promote equity.