CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman City Schools “continues to demonstrate strong academic achievement and student growth, according to data from The Education Scorecard, a collaboration between two of the nation’s leading education research centers: the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project (EOP) at Stanford University,” the system said.
The District said the recently released Education Scorecard highlights Cullman City Schools as one of Alabama’s highest-performing public school systems, with students outperforming state and national averages in both reading and mathematics.
“Compared to similar districts across Alabama and the nation, Cullman City Schools ranks higher in both math and reading performance, placing in the 89th percentile nationally in math and the 94th percentile nationally in reading. The district also ranks in the 87th percentile nationally for learning rates, showing consistent academic growth across race, income, and gender groups.
“One of the report’s most significant findings illustrates just how well Cullman City students are performing academically. According to the data, a typical Cullman City fifth grade student is performing at a level comparable to a typical seventh grade student nationally.
“The report includes trend data from 2009-2025 showing steady academic growth in both math and reading achievement for Cullman City students when compared to Alabama averages and similar districts across the state. The district’s performance in both subjects continues to exceed state and peer averages, highlighting consistent progress over time, but most notably are the upward trends since the 2020-2021 school years when formal education was interrupted by the COVID pandemic.
“The report also reflects positive progress in student attendance. Data included in the report shows chronic absenteeism rates in Cullman City Schools trending downward over recent years and remaining below both state and peer district averages. Fewer students are missing significant amounts of school, which continues to support stronger academic achievement and a more positive learning environment.
“The chronic absenteeism data tracks the percentage of students missing 10% or more of the school year and reinforces the district’s continued emphasis on student engagement, family communication, and school attendance.
“These findings are a direct reflection of the hard work taking place every day in our classrooms,” Kyle Kallhoff, superintendent of Cullman City Schools, said. “Our educators continue to provide high-quality instruction and meaningful support for students, and our students continue to rise to the challenge academically. We are proud of the progress being made across our entire school system.”
District leaders emphasized that the report not only highlights strong academic outcomes, but also reinforces the importance of school attendance and family engagement.
“This report solidifies how well our educators prepare and teach in Cullman City Schools and how hard our students work each day,” Kallhoff added. “It is important that parents and families continue to make school attendance and academic success a priority. When students are present, engaged, and supported, great things happen.”
He added, “This is a great time in the city of Cullman to have your children enrolled in public education.”
