Summary:
The city of Guin, Alabama, is served by two schools within the Marion County district, which together educate roughly 531 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a moderate-income, small-town setting.
For parents, the standout is Guin Elementary School (PK-6), a consistent academic powerhouse that has earned 5-star ratings in two of the last three years and currently holds a 4-star rating. It ranks in the 89th percentile of Alabama elementary schools, with math proficiency ranging from 58.5% to 83.3% and English proficiency from 68.3% to 86.1%—all well above state averages. Meanwhile, Marion County High School (7-12) tells a dramatic turnaround story, jumping from the 29th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 84th percentile in 2025-2026—a rise of 210 positions. Its graduation rate is a strong 94.1%, and chronic absenteeism is just 3.5%, far better than the state's 12.0%. However, the high school's math scores lag, especially in 8th grade (18% proficiency), while English remains a clear strength across both schools.
Comparing the two, the elementary school is the clear academic leader, but the high school is improving rapidly, particularly in 11th grade, where math and English proficiency jumped by 17 and 25 percentage points, respectively. Both schools achieve above-average results with below-average spending ($9,040-$10,376 per student), and roughly half of students at each qualify for free or reduced lunch. The main area for continued focus is middle-grade math, where proficiency dips notably in 6th through 8th grades. Overall, Guin offers a cohesive PK-12 pathway with strong literacy emphasis, excellent attendance, and a high school on an upward trajectory—making it a solid choice for families seeking consistent elementary performance and a high school that is clearly improving.
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