Tuscaloosa City Schools honors top performing schools for academic excellence

Tuscaloosa City Schools celebrated remarkable achievements at their regular board meeting on February 18, 2025, recognizing three schools that have excelled in academic performance and improvement. Rock Quarry Elementary, Southview Elementary, and Woodland Forest Elementary were highlighted for their outstanding progress, each showcasing unique strategies that led to their success.

Rock Quarry Elementary, led by Principal Miss Jokish, was commended for ranking among the top 25 schools in Alabama. Jokish emphasized the school's commitment to knowing each student’s needs and fostering a supportive environment. “We pride ourselves on being called the rock at Rock Quarry,” she stated, highlighting the school's focus on respect, outstanding efforts, and compassion. The school’s consistent high performance is attributed to intentional teaching practices and a strong collaborative spirit among staff.

Southview Elementary, under Principal Miss Amerson, was recognized for being one of the top 25 most improved schools. Amerson shared the challenges faced the previous year but expressed pride in her team’s determination to turn things around. “We kept a pulse on every child in that school,” she explained, detailing their data-driven approach that resulted in a significant jump in performance from a score of 62 to 80 in just one year.

Woodland Forest Elementary, led by Principal Miss Bivens, also made the list of top 25 most improved schools. Bivens credited the entire school community for their success, stating, “There is no position that is more important than any position in that building.” The school implemented a rigorous data review process every four weeks, ensuring that all students received the support they needed to thrive.

The board meeting not only celebrated these schools' achievements but also set a tone of collaboration and continuous improvement across the district. As the schools look forward to further advancements, the commitment to student success remains a top priority for Tuscaloosa City Schools.