Best Public Schools in Opelika, AL

The city of Opelika, Alabama, is served by 13 public schools across three districts—Opelika City, Lee County, and Russell County—enrolling roughly 7,500 students from pre-K through 12th grade, with a mix of primary, elementary, intermediate, middle, and high schools.

For parents, the standout academic performer is Beauregard Elementary School, which ranks in the 67th percentile statewide and beats state averages in nearly every subject, including 5th grade English (76% proficient vs. 69.5% statewide). Its feeder pattern continues to impress: Beauregard High School posts a 92.9% graduation rate and strong science scores. In contrast, West Forest Intermediate School is the lowest-ranked school (25th percentile, 1-star), with 3rd grade math proficiency at just 25% versus the state’s 45%. Among middle schools, Opelika Middle School shines in 8th grade science (58.9% proficient, beating the state by nearly 5 points), while Sanford Middle School shows a troubling math collapse—dropping from 44.8% proficiency in 6th grade to just 6.2% in 7th grade. Opelika High School is improving, with notable year-over-year gains in English (+5.5 points) and math (+4.4 points).

Chronic absenteeism is a clear concern at the secondary level: Opelika High School has a 20% chronic absenteeism rate—four times higher than Southview Primary School (5.1%). Poverty levels vary widely, with West Forest Intermediate and Carver Primary School both above 91% free/reduced lunch, while Beauregard Elementary sits near 54%. Notably, per-student spending does not predict success—Opelika High School spends the most ($11,942) yet ranks lower than Beauregard Elementary, which spends $9,387. Overall, the Lee County district (3 stars) outperforms Opelika City (2 stars), and most schools have seen declining state rankings over the past three years, suggesting district-wide challenges that need targeted attention.