EXCEL Academy

EXCEL Academy is a small alternative-style school in Anniston, AL, serving 196 students in grades 6 through 12 within the Calhoun County district, where about 60% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

This school has a unique profile that sets it apart from nearby high schools. The most striking positive finding is its exceptional work with Special Education students—in the 2025-2026 school year, EXCEL Academy ranked in the 77th percentile statewide for effectiveness with this group, a dramatic improvement from the previous year. The school also boasts remarkably low chronic absenteeism at just 6.4%, far better than the district (10.1%) and state (12.0%) averages, meaning students are consistently showing up to class. However, the school faces significant challenges. Its student-to-teacher ratio of 32.6 is more than double that of any nearby school—Saks High School, located just 0.11 miles away, has a ratio of 17.2, while most area schools hover around 15. Academically, EXCEL Academy ranks in the bottom quartile of Alabama high schools (22nd percentile), with a severe math crisis: only 2.38% of 11th graders were proficient in math, compared to 18.1% in the district and 27.21% statewide. Test scores in 7th and 8th grade also show extreme volatility, from 54.55% English proficiency in 7th grade to 0% math proficiency in 8th grade.

For parents, the picture is mixed. EXCEL Academy appears to provide a stable, supportive environment where students attend regularly and where Special Education students thrive. The school also showed significant improvement with low-income students, jumping from the 7th to the 37th percentile in one year. However, the extremely high student-to-teacher ratio and the catastrophic math scores suggest the school struggles to deliver consistent academic rigor. Compared to Alexandria High School (78th percentile) or Saks High School, which outperforms EXCEL in every subject despite having a higher percentage of low-income students, this school faces unique operational challenges. Given its small size and wide grade range, EXCEL Academy likely serves as a "last chance" placement for students who haven't succeeded elsewhere—and while it offers a caring environment, parents should be aware that academic outcomes, particularly in math, remain a serious concern.