5 Major Updates Transforming Attalla City Schools: From $1.5M Projects To A Superintendent Of The Year Honor
As of December 21, 2025, Attalla City Schools (ACS) in Alabama is undergoing a significant period of transformation, marked by major facility investments, notable academic improvements, and prestigious leadership recognition. The small, focused district, which serves the community of Attalla, is actively implementing a multi-pronged strategy to enhance student success, moving beyond traditional metrics to embrace a "whole-child support" model and investing heavily in career-focused education.
The system, comprising Attalla Elementary School, Etowah Middle School, and Etowah High School, is currently focused on rolling out new initiatives for the 2025-2026 academic year, building on the academic gains seen in 2024. These efforts are part of a Continuous Improvement Plan designed to ensure every student is prepared for post-secondary success, whether through college or a career pathway.
Superintendent Jeff Colegrove: Leadership Profile and 2026 District Honor
Central to the district's recent successes is the leadership of Superintendent Jeff Colegrove. His tenure has been characterized by a strong focus on student voice and a commitment to integrating career technical education with core academics.
- Full Name: Jeff Colegrove
- Current Role: Superintendent, Attalla City Schools
- Years in Education: Began his 29th year in education as of his most recent honor.
- Major Recent Honor: Named the District 6 Superintendent of the Year for 2026.
- Key Initiative: Established the Superintendent's Student Council for the 2025–2026 school year to formally incorporate student perspectives into district improvement efforts.
- Philosophy: Dedicated to incorporating student voice and fostering a culture of support across all schools.
Colegrove's recognition as the District 6 Superintendent of the Year for 2026 highlights his forward-thinking approach to educational leadership in Etowah County. His emphasis on a student council demonstrates a commitment to governance that is responsive and inclusive of the student body's needs and insights.
Academic Achievement and the Impact of the Alabama Literacy Act
The 2024-2025 school year has brought significant, quantifiable academic progress for Attalla City Schools, particularly in key subject areas, directly correlating with statewide educational reforms.
2024 ELA Scores Jump with Full Implementation
A major win for the district in 2024 was the significant improvement in English Language Arts (ELA) scores. This jump in student performance is attributed to the full implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act. The Act, which focuses on foundational reading skills, has shown measurable success at Attalla Elementary School and across the district's lower grades, a crucial indicator for future academic success.
This focus aligns with the district's overall strategy, as outlined in its Continuous Improvement Plan, to prioritize foundational skills while also addressing the needs of older students.
Key Academic Achievement Metrics (2024 Data)
According to the Alabama Achieves LEA Performance Profile, the district has specific areas of focus for improvement. While ELA scores have risen, other areas show the ongoing challenge of closing proficiency gaps:
- High School Math Proficiency: The district reported a 28.84% proficiency rate in High School Math.
- 4th Grade Reading Proficiency: The gap in proficiency for 4th-grade reading was noted at 32.79% on the 2024 school quality/student success indicator scores.
These metrics underscore the district’s commitment to transparency through the Federal Report Card process and provide clear targets for the Attalla City Board of Education and its administration to address in the upcoming school year.
Major Infrastructure Investment: The $1.5 Million Career Technical Center Project
Perhaps the most concrete sign of the district's forward momentum is the significant investment in its Career Technical Education (CTE) infrastructure. Attalla City Schools is actively preparing students for the modern workforce through collaboration with regional partners like the Etowah County Technical School.
Details of the Ingress/Egress Project
The Alabama state executive budget for the 2025 fiscal year allocates substantial funding for a critical facility upgrade. Attalla City Schools received a specific line item of $1,500,000 for the "Career Technical Center - Ingress/egress" project.
This major funding is dedicated to improving the access and exit points (ingress/egress) for the Career Technical Center. While seemingly an operational detail, this improvement is vital for enhancing safety, managing student traffic efficiently, and facilitating the movement of equipment and materials necessary for hands-on, modern technical training. This investment underscores the district's long-term commitment to providing high-quality, practical career pathways for students at Etowah High School.
Whole-Child Support and Community Partnerships
Attalla City Schools recognizes that academic success is intrinsically linked to the overall well-being of its students. The district has formalized its commitment to a "whole-child support" model through strategic community partnerships.
The SPAN Partnership
A key entity in this effort is the partnership with SPAN (Services for People with Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities). This collaboration is designed to empower students by providing comprehensive support that goes beyond the classroom.
The joint initiative focuses on several critical areas of development:
- Enhanced Family Engagement: Providing resources and parent education to create a supportive home learning environment.
- Wellness Programs: Offering comprehensive wellness services to address student mental and physical health.
- Mentoring Services: Connecting students with positive role models to foster personal growth and resilience.
This holistic approach, managed in part by personnel like Paige Cash, the Director of Federal Programs, ensures that all students, including those with specific needs, receive the full range of resources required for a successful educational journey.
Navigating Attalla City Schools: Key Entities and Operational Details
For parents and community members, understanding the operational structure and key personnel is essential for engagement with the Attalla City School District. The district is headquartered at 101 Case Avenue SE, Attalla, AL 35954.
Board of Education and District Personnel
The Attalla City Board of Education holds its regular meetings every second Thursday of each month at 4:00 PM at the Board of Education office. These meetings are the primary venue for discussing Continuous Improvement Plan updates, budget reports, and new policy implementations.
Other key administrative entities and personnel include:
- Director of General Services: Miranda Battles
- Director of Federal Programs: Paige Cash
- CNP Director: Donna Giles
- CNP Secretary: Kimberly Correll
The district maintains a clear policy of non-discrimination, ensuring all educational programs and activities are administered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
2024-2025 Academic Calendar Highlights
The 2024-2025 academic calendar saw students return for the Opening Day on August 15, following two Professional Development (PD) Days for teachers on August 12 and 13. Key breaks and holidays include No School for Labor Day on September 2, and the Fall Break period from October 7-11. Parents are encouraged to utilize the district’s online registration system for both new and returning students to ensure a smooth start to the academic year.
Attalla City Schools continues to position itself as a progressive educational leader in Etowah County. With a focus on strong leadership under Superintendent Jeff Colegrove, measurable academic gains through the Alabama Literacy Act, and a $1.5 million commitment to modern Career Technical Education, the district is actively working to provide a robust and future-ready education for every student.
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