Fairhope West Elementary

Fairhope West Elementary is a large, highly-rated public school in Fairhope, AL, serving 972 students in grades PK through 6 as part of the Baldwin County school district.

This school is an academic standout, ranking #18 out of 686 elementary schools in Alabama—placing it in the top 3% statewide. Test scores are exceptionally strong, with proficiency rates running 30-40 percentage points above state averages in nearly every subject and grade. For example, 3rd graders hit 92.3% proficiency in English and 82.2% in math, while 6th graders reached 71.4% in math. The school has also shown remarkable growth, improving its math scores by 13-22 points across all grade levels over the past few years. Fairhope West consistently outperforms nearby schools like Fairhope East Elementary (#45) and Spanish Fort Elementary (#71), and it leads its sister school in most subjects, particularly math. The school also earns high marks for supporting students with special needs (top 5% statewide) and low-income students (94th percentile), while keeping chronic absenteeism remarkably low at just 5.4%.

While the overall picture is excellent, there are a few areas worth noting. The school's support for English Language Learners is its biggest challenge, ranking in the bottom 7th percentile—a significant drop from prior years. Performance for Hispanic students has also dipped somewhat, though African American students have shown dramatic improvement, jumping from the 51st to the 93rd percentile in just two years. The school spends about $10,496 per student, which is mid-range compared to nearby schools, yet it achieves the best outcomes—a sign of efficient resource use. For parents considering this school, Fairhope West offers a proven track record of academic excellence, strong family engagement, and a supportive environment, though families with ELL students may want to ask about specific support services.