Summary:
Attalla, Alabama is served by five public schools—three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school—that together educate nearly 1,900 students across two districts, Attalla City and Etowah County.
For parents, the most striking takeaway is the divide between the two districts. Ivalee Elementary School in Etowah County is the clear academic standout, ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide with a 4-star rating. Its students post strong scores, with 83.87% proficient in 3rd-grade English and 66.67% in 4th-grade science—both well above state averages. Duck Springs Elementary School, also in Etowah County, performs solidly as well. In contrast, the Attalla City schools lag behind. Attalla Elementary School shows some strength in 5th-grade English (70.41% proficient), but Etowah Middle School and Etowah High School struggle significantly, particularly in math. The high school’s decline is alarming: it fell from the 88th percentile and a 4-star rating in 2023-2024 to the 29th percentile and a 1-star rating for 2025-2026, with only 9.91% of 11th graders proficient in math.
Mathematics is a universal weakness across all five schools, with no grade level reaching majority proficiency. Chronic absenteeism also varies widely: Ivalee Elementary has a surprisingly high rate of 23.5% despite its academic success, while Attalla Elementary (4.0%) and Duck Springs Elementary (5.6%) keep attendance strong. All schools serve high-poverty populations, with free/reduced lunch eligibility between 62% and 74%. For parents, the data suggests that Etowah County schools, especially Ivalee, offer the strongest academic environment, while the Attalla City schools—particularly the high school—face serious challenges that need urgent attention.
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