Emma Sansom High School was a high school located in Gadsden, Alabama. It was named for a young girl who was credited with helping General Nathan Bedford Forrest to cross Black Creek in Gadsden, Alabama and get his troops ahead of Union troops, thus stopping an impending attack upon Rome, Georgia during the Civil War.
Serving 338 students in grades 6-8, Sansom Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 17% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 29%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 40% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is lower than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 49% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 338 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 58%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 17% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 40% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Sansom Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Sansom Middle School's student population of 338 students has declined by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 21 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
338 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
Year Founded
1929
School Calendar
School Rankings
Sansom Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,285 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Sansom Middle School is 0.67, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#745 out of 1285 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
29%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
1%
Hispanic
20%
11%
Black
35%
32%
White
42%
51%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
79%
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sansom Middle School's ranking?
Sansom Middle School is ranked #745 out of 1,285 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Sansom Middle School often compared to?
Sansom Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Gadsden Middle School, Litchfield Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
17% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 29% AL state average), while 40% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Sansom Middle School?
338 students attend Sansom Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of Sansom Middle School students are White, 35% of students are Black, 20% of students are Hispanic, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Sansom Middle School?
Sansom Middle School has a student ration of 16:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Sansom Middle School offer ?
Sansom Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Sansom Middle School part of?
Sansom Middle School is part of Gadsden City School District.
School Reviews
1 8/28/2021
This school is the worst honestly, children squirting koolaid all over the bathroom? Yeah, very bad.
2 10/9/2020
The education is not the best, but it's fun.
5 8/13/2019
I love this school it is wonderful for your child to focus and do their work. they will do anything to help your child
Review Sansom Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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