Summary:
Alexander City is home to two middle-level schools serving grades 5 through 8, with a combined enrollment of roughly 844 students in a district rated 2 stars (43rd percentile statewide). The two schools—Alexander City Middle School (grades 7–8) and William L Radney Elementary School (grades 5–6)—serve predominantly economically disadvantaged populations, with about 70–73% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch.
Radney is the stronger performer, particularly in math. Its 6th-grade math proficiency rate of 48.42% in 2025–2026 far exceeds the state average of 35.22%, a 13.2-point advantage and a dramatic jump from 35.05% the prior year. Radney also beats state averages in 6th-grade English (64.74% vs. 56.77%) and posts a chronic absenteeism rate of 9.0%, well below the state's 12.0%. In contrast, Alexander City Middle School struggles more, with 7th-grade math at 31.28% and 8th-grade math at 27.72%—both barely above state averages. However, ACMS showed remarkable year-over-year gains across every subject, including a 15-point jump in 8th-grade English (to 57.14%) and an 11.7-point improvement in 8th-grade science (to 47.26%). Its state ranking improved from the 42nd to 59th percentile, earning a 3-star rating.
A clear "middle school slump" emerges: math proficiency drops over 20 points between Radney's 6th grade (48.42%) and ACMS's 8th grade (27.72%). Radney's success in high-poverty conditions suggests replicable strategies, while ACMS's higher per-student spending ($9,288 vs. $8,419) and higher chronic absenteeism (11.6% vs. 9.0%) point to areas for intervention. If ACMS's upward trend continues and Radney's math program is scaled, the district could see its rating rise substantially in coming years.
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