Straughn Middle School

Straughn Middle School in Andalusia, AL, serves 287 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Covington County district, and it has earned a 5-star rating for five consecutive years while ranking among the top 5% of middle schools statewide.

What truly sets Straughn Middle apart is its exceptional success with students from low-income backgrounds. In the 2024-2025 school year, the school ranked 3rd out of 428 schools statewide for its effectiveness with students qualifying for free or reduced lunch—a group that makes up over half of its student body. This means the school isn't just high-performing overall; it's especially skilled at helping students who often face extra challenges succeed. The school's overall state ranking of 18th out of 443 schools (96th percentile) in 2025-2026 places it in a different league than nearby Opp Middle School (ranked 139th) and Andalusia Junior High (ranked 106th). For example, in 8th-grade math, Straughn's proficiency rate was 64%, compared to just 30.51% at Andalusia Junior High and 43% at Opp Middle. The gap is even wider in 7th-grade math, where Straughn's 61.05% proficiency dwarfs Opp's 18.68%.

Straughn's excellence spans all core subjects—math, English, and science—with proficiency rates consistently outpacing both district and state averages. The school also maintains a healthy climate, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 7.9% in 2024-2025, well below the state average of 12.0%. Perhaps most impressive is the school's trajectory: a decade ago it ranked 85th with a 4-star rating, and through sustained effort it has climbed to its current top-20 position. For parents, this data paints a picture of a school that combines high academic standards with a genuine commitment to supporting every student, regardless of background—a combination that makes it a standout choice in the region.