Best Public Schools in Locust Fork, AL

Locust Fork, Alabama, is served by two schools within the Blount County school district, which together educate 951 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a small, economically diverse community where roughly half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Locust Fork Elementary is the clear academic standout, ranking in the top 8% of all Alabama elementary schools with a 5-star rating. Its students dramatically outperform state averages in nearly every subject, with 5th grade math proficiency at 84.51% compared to the state's 39.06%, and English proficiency rates ranging from 71.93% to 88.73% across grades 3-6. The school also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 4.0%, one-third of the state average. Locust Fork High School is a solid 4-star performer, ranking in the 79th percentile of Alabama high schools with a 96.9% graduation rate. While its proficiency rates are more modest—7th grade math sits at 21.54% and 11th grade English at 35.59%—the high school has shown remarkable momentum, improving its state ranking by 20 percentile points in a single year and posting consistent ~13-point gains across all 11th grade subjects.

The most striking finding is the significant academic drop-off between the two schools: 5th grade math proficiency of 84.51% plummets to 21.54% by 7th grade, suggesting a challenging transition to middle school that may warrant additional support. However, both schools benefit from strong community engagement, with chronic absenteeism rates (4.0% and 5.3%) less than half the state average. The high school also outperforms its district in most subjects despite a higher student-teacher ratio (23.2:1 vs. 17.5:1 at the elementary), while the elementary school achieves superior results with lower per-student spending ($8,021 vs. $10,794). Science is a notable strength at both schools, with the elementary's 4th grade science proficiency of 79.1% exceeding the state by nearly 29 points. Overall, parents can expect an exceptional elementary experience followed by a solid, improving high school that excels in graduation rates and attendance.