LIFE Academy

LIFE Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute is the sole school in the LIFE Academy district, serving 599 students in grades K-7 in Montgomery, AL.

This school faces significant challenges, ranking in the 6th percentile statewide (#647 out of 686 schools). The most pressing concern is chronic absenteeism, with 29.3% of students missing substantial school time—more than double the state average of 12.0%. Academic proficiency is well below state averages across all subjects, with the widest gaps in math and science. For example, 4th-grade math proficiency is just 5.66% compared to the state's 42.07%, and 4th-grade science is 15.09% versus 50.23% statewide. English scores are a relative bright spot, with 5th-grade proficiency at 44.68% (state: 69.53%), suggesting literacy instruction may be a foundation to build upon. The school also serves a high-poverty population, with 82.47% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and maintains a high student-teacher ratio of 24.9, which may limit individualized attention.

There is a slow but positive trajectory: the school's ranking has improved each year, from the 2nd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 6th percentile in 2025-2026. However, math proficiency declines as grade levels rise—from 12.77% in 3rd grade to just 5.06% in 7th grade—indicating learning gaps compound over time. For parents, this school offers a dedicated staff working against significant odds, but the combination of high absenteeism, large class sizes, and deep academic deficits in STEM subjects suggests that families should expect a need for substantial supplemental support and active engagement with attendance to help their child succeed.