Best Public Schools in Demopolis, AL

The city of Demopolis, Alabama, is served by the Demopolis City school district, which includes four schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school—covering grades PK-12 for approximately 1,918 students. The district overall earns a 4-star rating, ranking in the 75th percentile of Alabama districts, but individual school performance varies significantly, with the middle school clearly leading the pack.

Demopolis Middle School is the standout performer, ranking in the 77th percentile of Alabama middle schools with a 4-star rating. It posts remarkable math scores, especially in 6th grade where 58.33% of students are proficient versus a 35.22% state average, and it also excels in 8th-grade science (63.85% proficiency). By comparison, US Jones Elementary School is solid but less impressive, ranking in the 63rd percentile with strong 5th-grade English (74.83%) and 4th-grade math (53.24%) scores. Demopolis High School is the district's biggest concern, ranking in the 66th percentile but showing a decline from the previous year, with 11th-grade English proficiency at just 26.05%—nearly 8 points below the state average. Westside Elementary School serves the youngest students (PK-2) and has no test score data, but it spends the most per student at $10,352.

A key takeaway is the "middle school peak" phenomenon: students thrive at Demopolis Middle School but lose momentum by high school. Math proficiency declines steadily from 58.33% in 6th grade to 29.23% in 8th grade, and high school English remains critically low. Chronic absenteeism also rises with grade level, from 8.7% at Westside to 12.5% at the high school, which exceeds the state average. Notably, all four schools serve similar socioeconomic populations (54-60% free/reduced lunch), yet outcomes differ dramatically, suggesting school-level factors drive success. The district's 4-star rating is largely buoyed by the middle school, masking weaknesses elsewhere. For parents, this means strong early foundations and middle school excellence, but a high school that needs targeted literacy and engagement interventions to ensure students graduate ready for college or careers.