Brent Elementary School

Brent Elementary School in Brent, AL, serves 603 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade and is the largest elementary school in the Bibb County district, nearly double the size of its closest counterparts.

Brent Elementary faces significant academic challenges, ranking in the 18th percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year with a 1-star rating. This performance is dramatically lower than other elementary schools in the same district—West Blocton Elementary, Randolph Elementary, and Woodstock Elementary all rank in the 55th-60th percentile range. For example, only 20% of Brent's 3rd graders were proficient in math, compared to 50% at Randolph Elementary and 45% statewide. English proficiency is a relative bright spot, improving from 32% in 2022-2023 to 56% in 2024-2025, though it dipped to 42% most recently. The school received 0-star ratings for its African American, White, and low-income student subgroups, indicating challenges that affect all major demographic groups.

Chronic absenteeism is a critical concern, with 23.7% of students missing significant school time in 2024-2025—nearly double the state average of 12% and higher than nearby Vance Elementary (9.6%) and Woodstock Elementary (16.2%). While this rate has improved from a high of 32% in 2021-2022, it remains a major barrier to learning. On a positive note, the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch has declined from 71% to 59% over the same period, suggesting improving economic conditions in the community. However, the school's performance for economically disadvantaged students remains particularly low, indicating that those who still face financial hardship need additional support. Brent Elementary clearly requires intensive, targeted interventions to close the wide achievement gap with its neighboring schools.