Best Public Schools in Elba, AL

The city of Elba, Alabama, is served by the Elba City school district, which includes just two schools—Elba Elementary School (PK-6) and Elba High School (7-12)—together educating roughly 603 students in a predominantly low-income community where about 70% of children qualify for free or reduced lunch.

There is a stark divide between the two schools. Elba Elementary School is the clear standout, ranking in the 50th percentile statewide with a 3-star rating. It outperforms the state average in several subjects, particularly in English Language Arts—5th graders hit 74.4% proficiency versus 69.5% statewide, and 6th graders reached 63.8% versus 56.8%. Math is also a strength in 3rd grade, where 58.2% are proficient compared to 44.9% statewide. In contrast, Elba High School struggles significantly, ranking in the 27th percentile with a 1-star rating. Its 11th grade English proficiency is just 11.4% (state: 33.7%), and math proficiency is alarmingly low—only 13.5% of 11th graders and roughly 10% of 7th and 8th graders are proficient, about half the state average. The high school also spends $1,880 more per student than the elementary school yet achieves far worse outcomes, raising questions about resource allocation.

Chronic absenteeism is a major red flag at the high school, where 26.1% of students miss significant instructional time—more than double the state average of 12.0% and far above the elementary school's 12.6%. The graduation rate is 89.1%, slightly below the state's 91.5%. Encouragingly, the high school is improving, jumping from the 7th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 27th percentile now, with 8th grade science rising from 34.3% to 46.3% proficiency. However, year-to-year proficiency swings at the elementary level (e.g., 3rd grade math jumping from 38.3% to 58.2%) suggest small cohort sizes make trends volatile. For parents, the picture is clear: elementary education is solid, but the high school needs urgent intervention in math, literacy, and attendance to reverse its downward trajectory.