Summary:
The Pell City school district in Alabama is home to two middle schools—Duran Junior High School (grades 7-8) and Williams Intermediate School (grades 4-7)—serving roughly 1,200 students in a district ranked 38th out of 139 in the state, earning a 4-star rating.
Both schools face similar challenges with economically disadvantaged populations (about 59-62% free/reduced lunch), but they show distinct strengths and weaknesses. In English, both schools perform close to state averages—Williams' 5th graders hit 69.13% proficiency (vs. 69.53% state) and Duran's 8th graders reached 56.18% (vs. 58.53% state). However, math is a significant struggle across the board. Duran's 8th-grade math proficiency sits at just 16.25%, a full 10 points below the state average, while Williams' 5th-grade math dropped dramatically from 35.29% to 24.44% in one year—a 10.85-point decline that demands attention. Duran does show a bright spot in 8th-grade science, improving from 36.46% to 45.04% proficiency, though it still trails the state's 54.12%.
Chronic absenteeism is a concern at Duran (12.9%), exceeding both the district (9.5%) and state (12.0%) averages, while Williams is slightly better at 11.0%. Duran also spends considerably more per student ($9,403 vs. $7,959 at Williams) despite similar demographics, yet its state ranking has slipped from 218th to 244th over two years—suggesting other Alabama schools are improving faster. The 7th-grade overlap between the two schools (Williams ends at 7th, Duran starts at 7th) may create transition challenges, as Duran's 7th-grade math proficiency (19.53%) indicates students may not be fully prepared for junior high rigor. For parents, the takeaway is clear: English instruction is solid, but math needs urgent, targeted intervention at both schools, and improving attendance at Duran could be a key lever for boosting overall performance.
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