Summary:
The city of Section, Alabama, is served by two schools within the Jackson County school district, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks 51st out of 139 districts in the state. Together, these schools—Section High School and Macedonia School—enroll 641 students, with Section High School serving grades PK-12 as an alternative school and Macedonia School covering grades PK-8 as an elementary school.
Despite its "alternative" label, Section High School is the academic powerhouse in the area, posting remarkable results in early grades and science. Its 3rd-grade math proficiency (75.86%) is nearly 31 points above the state average, and its 8th-grade science proficiency (66.67%) exceeds the state by 12.5 points. The school also boasts a 93.6% graduation rate, above the state average. Meanwhile, Macedonia School shines in English Language Arts, with 5th-grade English proficiency at 90.91% and 6th-grade English at 81.82%—both more than 23 points above state averages. However, a stark contrast exists in 3rd-grade math: Section High School hits 75.86% while Macedonia School sits at just 20%, a 55.86-point gap within the same district.
Both schools show dramatic year-over-year improvements at Section High School, including a +33-point jump in 3rd-grade math and +31 points in 8th-grade science. Yet chronic absenteeism is a systemic concern—Section High School's rate is 19.1% and Macedonia's is 15.9%, both well above the 12% state average. Additionally, 11th-grade English remains a weakness at Section High School (22.22% vs. 33.73% state), and Macedonia School has a higher student-teacher ratio (19.7:1) despite spending $1,800 more per student. For parents, this means strong elementary literacy and science programs, but math instruction and attendance require attention.
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