Dothan City Schools vs Houston County Schools: A Dothan, AL Comparison for Parents
2024-2025 School Year Data | Updated June 2025
If you’re buying a home in Dothan or zoned for either district, you’ve probably heard “city vs county” debates. Let’s look at the numbers side-by-side so you can decide what fits your family. No hype, just facts from Alabama Dept of Education + NCES.
Disclaimer: I’m not an educator or school administrator. This is general info based on public data as of June 2025. School performance changes yearly. Always tour schools, talk to principals, and check Alabama State Report Card for the latest scores before deciding.
1. District Basics – Size & Structure
| Factor | Dothan City Schools | Houston County Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 18 schools | 16 schools |
| Grades Served | PK-12 | PK-12 |
| Total Enrollment | 8,220 students | 6,907 students |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 18:1 | 17.76:1 |
| Locale | City, Small | Rural, Distant |
| Minority Enrollment | 75% | 30% district-wide |
Key difference: Dothan City is the larger city district serving more students inside Dothan city limits. Houston County serves more rural/suburban areas around Dothan + smaller towns like Ashford, Cottonwood, Rehobeth.
2. Academic Performance – Alabama Report Card 2024-2025
Alabama grades districts on achievement, growth, graduation, chronic absenteeism, college/career readiness.
Dothan City Schools District:
- Overall Score: 80/B. Up from 79/C last year.
- District Rank: Bottom 50% statewide
- Math Proficiency: 23% vs AL avg 30%
- Reading Proficiency: 40% vs AL avg 47%
- Graduation Rate: 89% vs AL avg 88%
Houston County Schools District:
- District Rating: 8/10, Top 30% in Alabama
- Math Proficiency: 41% vs AL avg 30%. Ranks top 20% for math proficiency.
- Reading Proficiency: 52% vs AL avg 47%
- Graduation Rate: 90-91% vs AL avg 88%
High School Example:
- Dothan High School 10-12: 1,588 students, 19:1 ratio. Math 19% proficient, Reading 28%. Grad rate 89%.
- Houston County High School 7-12, Columbia AL: 322-336 students, 16-17:1 ratio. Math 10-14% proficient, Reading 40-44%. Grad rate ≥90%.
3. What Each District Is Known For
Dothan City Schools:
- Larger magnet/choice options – Carver School for Math Science & Technology, Dothan Preparatory Academy, Dothan Technology Center.
- City resources – More programs due to larger enrollment 8,220 vs 6,907.
- Recent improvement – District score went from C to B.
Houston County Schools:
- Higher test scores overall – 8/10 rating vs Dothan City 4/10 on NeighborhoodScout. Math 41% vs 23%.
- Smaller schools – Houston County HS ∼336 students vs Dothan High 1,588. Smaller = lower student-teacher ratio.
- Top-ranked schools – Wicksburg HS ranks 19-48 statewide with 5-star SchoolDigger rating.
4. 3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing
- Zoning vs Open enrollment: Dothan City = city limits. Houston County = county areas outside city. Some county areas have “Dothan” mailing address but are Houston County zoned. Check exact address on district zoning map.
- School size preference: Want more clubs/sports/choices = larger Dothan City. Want smaller classes/more personal = Houston County averages 16-17:1 vs 18:1.
- Specific school over district: District averages don’t tell whole story. Example: Carver School of Math/Science is in Dothan City. Wicksburg HS is Houston County. Visit the actual school your child would attend.
Bottom Line for Dothan Families
Houston County Schools scores higher on state tests + overall rating 8/10 with stronger math proficiency 41%.
Dothan City Schools improved to a B, offers more magnet/choice schools, and serves more students inside city limits.
Both districts have 89-91% graduation rates, which is at/above Alabama average 88%.
The “best” school = the one your child thrives at. Test scores are 1 piece. Also look at teachers, programs, commute, and fit.
Next steps if you’re deciding:
- Go to ALSDE Report Card: reportcard.alsde.edu and search both districts
- Tour 2-3 schools in each district during school hours
- Ask about class size, AP/dual enrollment, special ed services, and extracurriculars