Summary:
Dale County, Alabama is home to two public high schools serving grades 9 through 12, with one school also encompassing grades 7 and 8, offering families a clear choice between a smaller, top-performing school and a larger institution showing promising recent gains.
George W Long High School is the standout performer in the Dale County district, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the top 7% of all Alabama high schools (25th out of 380). Its academic excellence is evident across all subjects, with 60% of 11th graders proficient in math compared to just 27.21% statewide. The school also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 3.8% and a perfect 100% graduation rate. Notably, its 8th-grade students are already achieving remarkable results, with 75% proficiency in math, suggesting a strong academic pipeline that feeds into its high school success. In contrast, Dale County High School faces more challenges, with only 19.81% of 11th graders proficient in math and a higher percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (59.04% versus 40.58%).
Both schools share a perfect 100% graduation rate, well above the state average of 91.5%, and maintain similar student-teacher ratios (18.4 and 17.6 respectively). However, George W Long invests more per student ($9,811 versus $8,490) and has significantly lower chronic absenteeism. The most encouraging finding is Dale County High's dramatic year-over-year improvement, with math proficiency jumping from 13.04% to 19.81%, science from 28.26% to 46.23%, and English from 23.86% to 33.65%. While its state ranking has fluctuated, this positive trajectory suggests recent interventions may be working. For parents, George W Long offers proven, consistent excellence, while Dale County High presents a school on the rise with a dedicated approach to improvement.
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