Elementary Schools in Sumter County

There are two elementary schools serving grades PK-4 in Sumter County, Alabama, a rural district ranking in the bottom 4% of the state, where both schools face significant economic challenges with 77-83% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

York West End Junior High School is the standout improver, jumping from the 2nd percentile to the 16th percentile in state rankings in just one year—a remarkable 95-position climb. This turnaround is driven by dramatic gains in 3rd-grade English (from 23% to 54% proficiency) and 3rd-grade math (from 10% to 29%). Despite its smaller enrollment of 159 students, York West End now outperforms Livingston Junior High School in 3rd-grade subjects and has a much better student-teacher ratio (12.2:1 vs. 18:1) plus higher per-student spending ($13,506 vs. $10,996). However, Livingston remains the more consistent performer overall, with stronger 4th-grade English and science scores, though both schools earn just 1 star and rank in the bottom 16% of Alabama schools.

Both schools show a clear pattern: English proficiency is nearly double math proficiency, and performance declines from 3rd to 4th grade across subjects. Chronic absenteeism is a critical concern—24.8% at Livingston and 29.4% at York West End, both more than double the state average of 12%. Science scores are particularly weak, hovering around half the state average. The spending paradox is notable: York West End has historically received more resources yet underperformed Livingston, but the latest data suggests those investments may finally be paying off. Parents should note that with only 20-30 students per grade at these small schools, year-over-year percentage swings can be misleading. The district's bottom-4% ranking reflects deep challenges, but York West End's rapid improvement demonstrates that targeted interventions can yield meaningful progress even in high-poverty settings.