Middle Schools in Selma City

Selma City is home to just one middle school, The RBHudson STEAM Academy, which serves grades 7 and 8 with 279 students in a district facing significant economic challenges.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that this school is struggling academically, particularly in math. The school ranks in the bottom 12th percentile of all Alabama middle schools, and math proficiency is alarmingly low—just 5.3% of 7th graders and less than 1% of 8th graders are proficient, compared to state averages around 24-26%. English scores are better but still below state levels, with 29% of 7th graders and 40.8% of 8th graders proficient. Science proficiency sits at 29%, well under the state average of 54%. The school serves a highly disadvantaged population, with 93% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, which is important context for understanding these results. On a positive note, the student-teacher ratio is a favorable 12.9, meaning smaller class sizes that could allow for more individualized attention.

There are a few bright spots worth noting. The jump in 8th-grade English proficiency—from 19.7% to 40.8% in one year—is a significant improvement that suggests effective instruction or interventions in that grade and subject. However, test scores are volatile year to year, which may reflect the small student body where a handful of students can shift percentages dramatically. Chronic absenteeism is 12.6%, slightly above the state average but in line with the district. Given the school's "STEAM" designation, the very low math and science scores are particularly concerning, as these are core pillars of that curriculum. Parents should consider this school's challenges honestly while recognizing that the small class sizes and the demonstrated success in 8th-grade English provide a foundation that could be built upon with targeted support.