Summary:
Gurley, Alabama, is a small town served by two schools within the Madison County district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 76th percentile statewide, offering education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to roughly 872 students.
For parents, the standout is clearly Madison County High School, which has earned an elite 5-star ranking (12th out of 374 high schools in Alabama) and boasts a 94% graduation rate. Its academic performance is exceptional, with 11th-grade math proficiency at 47.57%—nearly double the state average—and science proficiency at 55.34%, far outpacing state norms. In contrast, Madison County Elementary School is a consistent 3-star performer, showing particular strength in science (68.29% proficiency in 8th grade) and upper-grade English (78.05% in 8th grade, well above the state's 58.53%). However, the elementary school struggles with a significant math decline, dropping from 62.5% proficiency in 5th grade to just 29.27% by 8th grade—a 33-point gap that suggests challenges in middle-grade math instruction.
Both schools share a notable concern: chronic absenteeism is roughly 19%, significantly higher than the state average of 12%, which may impact performance variability. Additionally, there appears to be a drop-off in English proficiency as students transition to high school, where 11th-grade scores (50.98%) fall below the district average. On a positive note, the elementary school receives more per-student funding ($13,032 vs. $11,207) despite serving a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, indicating thoughtful resource allocation. Science is a clear district-wide strength at both schools, offering a model for improvement in other subjects. Overall, Gurley offers a high-performing high school with exceptional academics, while the elementary school provides solid foundations but would benefit from addressing math declines and absenteeism to better prepare students for that successful high school experience.
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