Summary:
Centre Elementary School is the sole elementary school in Cherokee County, Alabama, serving 665 students in Pre-K through 4th grade within a district ranked 83rd out of 139 in the state.
For parents considering this school, the most important takeaway is that Centre Elementary has seen a steady decline in its state ranking over the past three years, falling from the 61st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 47th percentile in 2025-2026. The most dramatic drop came in 3rd-grade English, which fell by 9.32 percentage points to 66.09% proficiency—though this still slightly exceeds the state average of 64.75%. Mathematics remains the school's biggest weakness, with 4th-grade math proficiency at just 34.43%, a full 7.64 points below the state average. On a positive note, 4th-grade science is a clear bright spot, with 54.92% proficiency, outperforming both the district (49.84%) and state (50.23%) averages. The school also exceeds its district in most subjects, making it a relative standout within Cherokee County, even as the district itself lags statewide.
Families should also be aware of the school's chronic absenteeism rate of 14.5%, which is 2.5 points higher than the state average and may be contributing to the academic slide. With 53.23% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school serves a majority low-income population, yet still manages to beat state averages in 3rd-grade English. The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and per-student spending of $10,275 are reasonable, though the declining trajectory in math and reading warrants attention. If the current trend continues, the school could fall below the 40th percentile within two years, potentially affecting funding and oversight. For parents, this means monitoring progress closely and advocating for targeted math intervention and attendance support.
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