Summary:
Livingston, Alabama is served by four schools across two distinct districts—University Charter School and Sumter County—covering grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of 1,091 students.
The most notable schools in Livingston are the two charter schools. University Charter School Secondary stands out with a 94.5% graduation rate, 3 points above the state average, and a 3-star rating—the only school in the city to achieve this distinction. Its 11th grade English proficiency is 11 points above the state average, and its 6th grade math performance is 10 points above state. However, the school shows a concerning "middle school slump" in math, with 7th grade proficiency dropping to just 14.89%. University Charter School Elementary also holds a 3-star rating and serves the largest population (407 students), with strong 3rd and 5th grade English scores exceeding state averages. In contrast, the Sumter County schools—Livingston Junior High School and York West End Junior High School—serve much higher poverty populations (77-83% free/reduced lunch) and struggle academically, with most proficiency rates falling 15-25 points below state averages.
The data reveals a stark divide between the two districts. The charter schools have significantly lower chronic absenteeism (7-9% vs. 25-29% for county schools) and better academic outcomes despite having much larger class sizes (31:1 vs. 12-18:1). This suggests factors beyond class size—such as attendance, school culture, and resources—drive the performance gap. The most encouraging finding is York West End Junior High School's dramatic turnaround, improving from the 2nd to 16th percentile in state ranking in just one year, with 3rd grade English jumping 30 points. While the county schools face significant challenges, this positive trajectory offers hope for continued improvement.
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