Summary:
Ozark City is home to one middle school, D A Smith Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 and enrolls 388 students within the Ozark City district.
For parents considering this school, the most important takeaway is that D A Smith Middle School faces significant academic challenges, particularly in mathematics. The school's state ranking has slipped from the 50th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 31st percentile in 2025-2026, placing it in the bottom third of Alabama middle schools. Math proficiency declines sharply as students advance: 25% of 6th graders are proficient, dropping to 11.67% in 7th grade and a concerning 5.34% in 8th grade—a 21-point gap below the state average. English scores are comparatively stronger, with 7th graders nearly matching the state average (54.17% vs. 55.25%), though 8th-grade English lags by nearly 17 points. Science proficiency in 8th grade sits at 38.93%, about 15 points below the state benchmark.
On a positive note, the school maintains a strong attendance culture despite serving a predominantly low-income population (69.59% free/reduced lunch). The chronic absenteeism rate of 8.8% is notably better than both the district (11.1%) and state (12.0%) averages, suggesting students are engaged and families are supportive. However, scores fluctuate significantly year-to-year—8th-grade math dropped 70% while 8th-grade science improved 52%—which may indicate inconsistent instruction or small cohort sizes. The school's performance closely mirrors district averages, suggesting systemic challenges across Ozark City rather than school-specific issues. Parents should be aware that while the school provides a stable, attended environment, targeted math intervention and consistent instructional quality are critical needs for improving student outcomes.
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