Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Gadsden City

Alabama · Public School District
15
Schools
4,939
Students
$14,820
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
78.7%
Free Lunch Rate
+26pp vs nat'l
90.0%
Graduation Rate
+3.5pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Gadsden City is a public school district in Alabama serving 4,939 students across 15 schools. It includes 9 elementary, 3 middle, 3 high schools. Its graduation rate of 90.0% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $14,820 is near the national average for a US public school district. 79% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 36/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (15)
Middle Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Gadsden Middle School06–08464
Litchfield Middle School06–08255
Sansom Middle School06–08376
High Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
C I T Y Program06–120
Gadsden City Alternative School06–120
Gadsden City High School09–121,318
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$14,820Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
57%
19%
State
57.1%
Local (property tax)
18.6%
Federal
24.3%

State funding accounts for 57% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
15
Schools
4,939
Students
79%
Free Lunch
$15K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate90.0%
Opportunity Score36/100
StateAlabama →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
90.0% graduation rate — 3.5 points above the national average of 86.5%.
Range of school options
With 15 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
79% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
24% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Gadsden City?
Gadsden City has 15 public schools, serving a total of 4,939 students.
What is the graduation rate for Gadsden City?
The graduation rate is 90.0%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Gadsden City spend per student?
Gadsden City spends $14,820 per pupil — 3% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Gadsden City?
79% of students in Gadsden City qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Gadsden City?
No, Gadsden City does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Gadsden City serve?
Gadsden City serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Gadsden City?
The median opportunity score across schools in Gadsden City is 36/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.