Florence City Schools Explained

Florence City Schools
Grades:	Pre-K – 12th
Superintendent:	Jimmy Shaw^[1]
Teachers:	235^[2]
Students:	4188
Mascot:	Falcons
Colors:	Silver and blue
City:	Florence, Alabama
Country:	United States

Florence City Schools is the public school district of the city of Florence, Alabama. As of the 2004–2005 school year it has some 4,188 students and 235 full-time teachers. As of 2023, Florence City Schools offers 27 Advanced Placement courses, 8 Pre-AP/Honors courses, approximately 60 career/tech courses, 90 fine arts courses, 14 competitive sports with 61 teams, and education from the "cradle to career."

Its boundaries parallel that of Florence city.^[3]

According to 2012 U.S. News Best High Schools, Florence City Schools was ranked #17 out of a total of 370 high schools in the state of Alabama placing them in the top 5% of Alabama schools.^[4]

Secondary schools

High schools

Grades 9-12

• Florence High School/Florence Freshman Center
  • Used to be Bradshaw High School until the merge with Coffee High School in 2004
  • Notable Alumni include Beniquez Brown, Braxton Garrett, and Erroll Thompson

Middle schools

Grades 7–8

• Florence Middle School

Grades 5–6

• Hibbett Middle School

Primary schools

Elementary schools

• Forest Hills Elementary School
• Harlan Elementary School
• Weeden Elementary Schools

Preschools

• Handy HeadStart. (The Handy Headstart program was officially removed as a part of the Florence City School System in October 2013 as part of the federal government shutdown and a lacking of federal funding. The program continues to operate, however.)

Board of education

Board positions are on a 4-year election cycle.

2008: Ms. Vicky Kirkman (District 1), Mr. Bill Jordan (District 2), Mrs. MaLeah Chaney (District 3), Thomas F Wissert (District 4), Mrs. Laura Hardeman (District 5), Mr. Jim Fisher (District 6)

2012: Ms. Vicky Kirkman (District 1), Mr. Bill Jordan (District 2), Mr. Bill Griffin (District 3), Mr. Bill Gullett (District 4), Mrs. Laura Hardeman (District 5), Mr. Brad Dethero, appointed (District 6)

2016: Ms. Vicky Kirkman (District 1), Mr. Bill Jordan (District 2), Mr. Bill Griffin (District 3), Mr. Bill Gullett (District 4), Mrs. Laura Hardeman (District 5), Mrs. Britton Watson (District 6)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Superintendent's Message. 2017-07-07. Florence City Schools.
2. ftp://ftp.alsde.edu/documents/ReportCards/2004-2005/141/141.pdf State Board of Education School Report Card for 2004–2005, Florence City
3. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lauderdale County, AL. U.S. Census Bureau. 11-12, 17-18 (PDF pp. 12-13, 18-19/21). 2024-06-25. - Text list
4. Web site: Florence High School in Florence, AL - US News Best High Schools . U.S. News & World Report . 20 February 2023 . 2 July 2023.