ABOUT THE SHOALS Climate Cost of Living Cultural Amenities Housing Medical Services Education Sports and Recreation Shoals Economic Development Authority Phone: (256) 764-0351 1-800-239-6087 FAX: (256) 764-3850 20 Hightower Place Suite 1 P.O. Box 580 Florence, Alabama 35630 E-mail: info@seda-shoals.com

about the shoals | our industrial sites | the labor force | transportation | doing business | about seda | home     ABOUT THE SHOALS Education There are two county and four city school systems within The Shoals, offering complete academic and vocational education from preschool to twelfth grade. A host of secular and non-parochial private schools offer alternatives for parents who want a particular emphasis for their children. After graduation from high school, students may remain in the area to further their education. The University of North Alabama (UNA), founded in 1830 as the first public institution of higher education in the State, is located in Florence.  UNA offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in 25 major areas and plays an important role in the life of the region. In the Spring 2008, there were 7,027 students enrolled at the University of North Alabama. In addition to UNA, Northwest-Shoals Community College (NWSCC) is an accredited two-year institution that offers technical/occupational programs on a full- and part-time basis.  NWSCC offers area companies a variety of technical and administrative assistance. In the Spring 2008, there were 4,605 students enrolled at NWSCC. School Boards Colbert County Board of Education 115 W. 5th Street Tuscumbia, AL 35674 (256) 386-1300 Lauderdale County Board of Education 583 Middle Road Florence, AL 35630 (256) 760-1300 Florence City School System 541 Riverview Drive Florence, AL 35631 (256) 766-3234 Muscle Shoals City School System Wilson Dam Road Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 (256) 389-2600 Sheffield City School System 300 West 6th Street Sheffield, AL 35660 (256) 383-0400 Tuscumbia City School System 300 E. 7th Street Tuscumbia, AL 35674 (256) 389-2900 Universities & Colleges Northwest-Shoals Community College George Wallace Boulevard Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 (256) 331-5200 Heritage Christian University 3625 Helton Drive Florence, AL 35631 (256) 766-6610 The University of North Alabama 600 Wesleyan Avenue Florence, AL 35630 (256) 765-4100 Athens State College 300 N. Beaty Street Athens, AL 35611 (800) 522-0272 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL 35899 (256) 824-1000 Alabama A&M University Normal, AL 35762 (256) 851-5195