Ashland Elementary School

Ashland Elementary School in Ashland, AL, serves 455 students in grades K-6 as part of the Clay County school district. This small-town school has become a standout success story, climbing from a 2-star rating to a 4-star rating in just a few years—now ranking in the 76th percentile statewide.

The most impressive achievement at Ashland Elementary is its work with students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. With 62% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school ranks in the 84th percentile statewide for this group—placing it among the top 16% of Alabama schools serving similar populations. This isn't a one-year fluke; the school has maintained strong results for three straight years. The school has also made remarkable progress in getting kids to class, cutting chronic absenteeism from 22.4% to just 9.9%—now better than both the district and state averages. Boys at Ashland are thriving too, ranking in the 78th percentile, which is unusual since boys often lag behind girls in elementary reading and writing. The school also achieves these results efficiently, spending less per student than nearby Munford Elementary School while maintaining a better student-teacher ratio (15.9:1 vs. 19.7:1).

While the school shines in grades 3-5, there's a noticeable dip in 6th grade—particularly in math, where proficiency drops to 34% compared to 55% in 5th grade. This is an area parents should watch as their child approaches middle school. Ashland also outperforms its sister school, Lineville Elementary School, in nearly every grade level for math, and its science scores have soared from 29% to nearly 70% proficiency in just three years. For parents seeking a school that delivers strong results despite economic challenges, Ashland Elementary is clearly doing something right—and its momentum suggests the best may be yet to come.