Summary:
The Butler County school district in Alabama serves approximately 2,699 students across six schools, including two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and two alternative schools spanning grades PK-12. The district holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 38th percentile statewide, with a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population.
McKenzie High School is the clear standout performer, achieving a 100% graduation rate, the lowest chronic absenteeism in the district at 8.0%, and test scores that exceed state averages in nearly every subject and grade level. Its 11th-grade math proficiency jumped from 8.33% to 38.46% in one year. In contrast, Georgiana School struggles significantly despite also reporting a 100% graduation rate, with multiple test scores in single digits and a 24.9% chronic absenteeism rate. Greenville High School lags behind both alternative schools with an 86.2% graduation rate, though it showed positive momentum in 11th-grade English proficiency. Greenville Elementary School has shown the most improvement, rising from a 2-star to 3-star rating and now exceeding state averages in 3rd-grade math and English despite having the highest poverty rate in the district at 85.07%.
Chronic absenteeism is the district's most pressing challenge, with every school except McKenzie High exceeding the state rate of 12.0%. Greenville Middle School has the highest rate at 28.6%, and its 7th-grade math proficiency sits at just 4.04%. Academic performance declines sharply as students advance through grade levels, with WO Parmer Elementary and Greenville Elementary showing similar attendance challenges that suggest community-wide issues. Notably, per-student spending does not predict outcomes—Georgiana spends the most at $11,631 yet performs poorly, while McKenzie spends less and excels. The district's 2-star rating reflects these mixed results, with McKenzie proving high achievement is possible and Greenville Elementary demonstrating that improvement is achievable even under challenging circumstances.
Thank you for your feedback!