Barbour County High School

Barbour County High School in Clayton, AL, is a small public school serving 297 students in grades 7 through 12 within the Barbour County district. The school serves a predominantly low-income community, with nearly 88% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Barbour County High School has faced significant academic challenges, but recent data shows some encouraging signs of progress. The school's overall ranking improved from the 4th percentile to the 15th percentile in Alabama over the past year, and the graduation rate has climbed steadily from 53.1% in 2021-2022 to 84.0% in 2024-2025—now nearly matching Eufaula High School's rate of 83.0%. However, math proficiency remains critically low, with only 2.33% of 11th graders scoring proficient compared to 15.82% at Eufaula High School and 27.21% statewide. English skills are comparatively stronger, with 8th grade proficiency at 47.73%, approaching the state average of 58.53%.

One of the most pressing concerns is chronic absenteeism. In the 2024-2025 school year, 53.3% of students were chronically absent—more than four times the state average of 12.0% and significantly higher than Eufaula High School's 17.0%. This persistent issue, which has hovered around 50% for several years, suggests that while some students are thriving, a large portion remain disengaged. On a positive note, the school has invested in smaller class sizes, reducing the student-teacher ratio from 21.1 to 14.1 over two years—better than Eufaula's 17.1. With per-student spending nearly identical to Eufaula's, the school has resources to work with, but the combination of high poverty, absenteeism, and historical underperformance means sustained, targeted efforts will be essential to build on the recent improvements and ensure lasting success for all students.