Elementary Schools in Saraland City

Saraland City is home to two elementary schools—Saraland Elementary School (grades 2–5) and Saraland Early Education Center (grades PK–1)—serving roughly 1,591 students in a highly ranked Alabama district that sits in the 97th percentile statewide.

Saraland Elementary School is the clear academic standout, with exceptional test scores that far exceed state averages. In 5th grade math, 78.6% of students are proficient versus 39.06% statewide—a nearly 40-point gap—while 5th grade English proficiency hits 90.5% compared to 69.53% statewide. Science is equally impressive, with 4th graders at 82.76% proficiency versus 50.23% statewide. The school has earned a 5-star rating for three consecutive years and improved its state rank from 23rd to 15th before settling back at 23rd. By contrast, Saraland Early Education Center has no test scores (typical for PK–1), but it plays a critical role as the district’s foundation. However, it shows a chronic absenteeism rate of 12.9%—nearly double the 6.7% at the elementary school and above the state average of 12.0%—despite having a lower student-teacher ratio (16.5 vs. 18.3) and higher per-student spending ($9,106 vs. $8,262).

Both schools serve similar socioeconomic populations (roughly 48–51% free/reduced lunch), yet the attendance gap suggests school-level practices, not demographics, are driving the difference. Math is the elementary school’s greatest strength, with proficiency gains of up to 39.5 points over the state, while science showed the most dramatic improvement—a nearly 12-point jump in one year. English proficiency remains remarkably stable across all grades, never falling below 83.6%. The district’s 5-star status is built entirely on Saraland Elementary School’s performance, making the Early Education Center’s higher absenteeism a potential leading indicator of future challenges. Addressing attendance early could further boost an already impressive academic trajectory.