Summary:
Mc Calla, Alabama is a growing community served by four public schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school—that together educate approximately 3,461 students across two different school districts.
For parents exploring educational options in Mc Calla, the most striking finding is the dramatic difference between elementary and secondary performance. McAdory Elementary School stands out as the city's strongest performer, achieving mathematics proficiency rates that approach or exceed state averages despite being part of the lower-ranked Jefferson County district. In 4th grade math, for example, 41.9% of McAdory Elementary students scored proficient compared to just 28.49% district-wide. The school also boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the city at 9.7%. Lake View Elementary School, operated by Tuscaloosa County, shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 5th grade reading proficiency at 68.22%—nearly matching the state average of 69.53%.
The picture becomes more concerning at the secondary level. McAdory Middle School shows a progressive decline in math proficiency, falling from 13.81% in 6th grade to just 5.51% by 8th grade. McAdory High School faces significant challenges, with only 9.66% of 11th graders proficient in math and a troubling 31.6% chronic absenteeism rate—nearly triple the state average. While the high school's graduation rate of 89.5% is respectable, test scores suggest many graduates may not be fully prepared for college or careers. On a positive note, McAdory High showed improvement across all subjects from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, suggesting recent interventions may be gaining traction. Overall, Mc Calla's elementary schools demonstrate that strong outcomes are achievable, but the system struggles to maintain those gains as students advance through middle and high school.
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