Elementary Schools in Pell City

Pell City is home to four elementary schools—Walter M Kennedy School, Coosa Valley Elementary School, Iola Roberts Elementary School, and Eden Elementary School—serving grades K-4 and enrolling roughly 1,589 students total. The Pell City district earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 27% of Alabama districts, with every school exceeding state proficiency averages in math, English, and science.

Coosa Valley Elementary School is the standout performer, maintaining a 4-star rating for three consecutive years and ranking in the 86th-88th percentile statewide. Its chronic absenteeism rate of just 1.4% is remarkably low—about seven times better than the district average—and it achieves top results despite having the lowest per-student spending ($8,363) and a moderate free/reduced lunch rate (57%). Meanwhile, Walter M Kennedy School has climbed steadily from the 55th to the 81st percentile over three years, now leading the district in 3rd grade math (66.67% proficiency) and 4th grade English (68.6%). Iola Roberts Elementary School posts solid scores, particularly in 4th grade science (72.29%), while Eden Elementary School has shown the most dramatic turnaround—jumping from the 36th to the 65th percentile in one year, with 4th grade science proficiency soaring by 25.6 points.

For parents, the key takeaway is that all four schools provide a strong education well above state averages, but there are meaningful differences. Coosa Valley offers the most consistent excellence and exceptional attendance, while Walter M Kennedy is a rising star with strong math and English outcomes despite larger class sizes. Eden is improving rapidly, though it still trails its peers, and Iola Roberts is a reliable middle performer. Notably, higher spending doesn't guarantee better results—Coosa Valley spends the least yet outperforms Eden, which spends the most. Science is a relative weakness at Walter M Kennedy and Eden, while attendance and engagement appear to be strong drivers of success across the district.