Randolph County

The Randolph County school district in Alabama serves about 2,089 students across 7 schools, including four elementary schools, two high schools, and one alternative school, in a predominantly rural, low-income area where free/reduced lunch rates range from 50.6% to 69.9%.

For parents, the standout school is Woodland Elementary School, which ranks highest in the district (283rd of 686 Alabama elementary schools) and earns a 3-star rating. It leads in English proficiency, with 78.6% of 3rd graders and 81.8% of 5th graders meeting state standards, and it has the district's lowest poverty rate. In contrast, Rock Mills Junior High School ranks lowest overall (554th of 686) but posts remarkable 8th grade results: 91.7% English proficiency, 75% science proficiency, and 41.7% math proficiency—all far exceeding state averages—while also having the district's lowest chronic absenteeism at just 2.6%. Wadley High School, though classified as alternative, serves PK-12 and boasts the highest graduation rate (90.3%) but shows a dramatic collapse by 11th grade, with only 10.5% math proficiency.

District-wide, math proficiency declines sharply as students advance: 3rd graders nearly match the state (41.5% vs. 44.9%), but by 7th grade only 9.9% are proficient—a 32-point drop. English is a relative strength, with 3rd graders exceeding the state average (67.8% vs. 64.8%). Chronic absenteeism varies eight-fold, from 2.6% at Rock Mills to 20.7% at Wedowee Elementary School. Notably, per-student spending does not predict success: Woodland High School spends the most ($13,308) with mediocre results, while Woodland Elementary spends the least ($7,851) yet achieves the best outcomes. Both high schools—Randolph County High School and Woodland High—have improved slightly in state rankings, though they remain in the lower half of Alabama high schools.