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Ariton School

Q: Is Ariton School a good school?

Ariton School ranks 191 st of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

191^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 686 Alabama Alternative Schools

Better than 72% of Alabama alternative schools

Summary

Ariton School is a public PK-12 school in Ariton, Alabama, serving 887 students within the Dale County district, and it stands out as a high-performing community school with a 4-star rating and a top-20% district ranking.

For parents, the most encouraging news is Ariton's perfect 100% graduation rate and remarkably low 4.2% chronic absenteeism rate—both far better than state averages. The school shines brightest in English Language Arts, where proficiency rates in grades 6 and 7 (80% and 77%) dramatically exceed state averages (57% and 55%). Math is also a strength in upper grades: 8th grade math proficiency hit 67%, nearly triple the state rate and vastly outperforming nearby Zion Chapel High School's 3%. Science performance is a hidden gem, with 8th grade science at 65% and 11th grade at 54%, both well above state averages. The school also shows consistent year-over-year improvement, particularly in 11th grade English, which jumped from 29% to 51% proficiency over three years. One interesting pattern is a "middle school dip" in 7th grade, followed by a strong rebound in 8th grade—suggesting effective interventions that help students transition successfully.

While Zion Chapel High School outperforms Ariton in some elementary grades (like 4th grade math and science), Ariton takes the lead in most secondary metrics, including 11th grade math (48% vs. 22%) and English (51% vs. 20%). The school also serves a significant number of economically disadvantaged students (47% free/reduced lunch), though this has dropped notably from 61% in recent years. With efficient per-student spending of $8,843 and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2, Ariton delivers strong results that make it a compelling choice for families seeking a well-rounded, academically solid school in a small-town setting.

887

Students ?

18.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,843

Per pupil spending ?

47.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

264 Creel Richardson Drive
Ariton, AL 36311-0750

(334) 762-2371

District: Dale County

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.5%

African American:

11.6%

Hispanic:

10.6%

See top rated Alabama elementary schools

Compare Ariton School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 75th percentile in 2023 → 93rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Alabama average (59% vs 46% meeting standards)

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the Alabama average (92%)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 18 percentile points since 2023

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school59%

District avg57%

Alabama avg46%

Elementary school

191^st of 686

Alabama public elementary schools ?

Top 28%▼ down 8 pts since 2016

From top 20% (2016) to top 28% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

45^th of 443

Alabama public middle schools ?

Top 10%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

26^th of 380

Alabama public high schools ?

Top 7%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 14% (2016) to top 7% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

25^th of 139Dale County among Alabama districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	70.8	191 of 686	72.2%	★★★★☆
2025	74.6	158 of 680	76.8%	★★★★☆
2024	80.3	120 of 684	82.5%	★★★★☆
2023	75.6	144 of 680	78.8%	★★★★☆
2022	69.3	188 of 687	72.6%	★★★★☆
2021	72.3	165 of 692	76.2%	★★★★☆
2019	68.0	193 of 681	71.7%	★★★★☆
2018	80.0	119 of 680	82.5%	★★★★☆
2017	75.7	140 of 688	79.7%	★★★★☆
2016	75.9	139 of 691	79.9%	★★★★☆
2015	68.0	187 of 691	72.9%	★★★★☆
2014	57.1	287 of 695	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	56.0	371 of 696	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.0	340 of 696	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	65.7	247 of 709	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	54.7	362 of 704	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	44.4	440 of 696	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	35.5	520 of 698	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	48.8	395 of 698	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2006	36.9	499 of 689	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	43.4	440 of 688	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2004	31.7	473 of 623	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	36.4	266 of 429	38.0%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2023	96.3	6 of 123	95.1%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	66.1	212 of 652	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.6	227 of 649	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.8	136 of 650	79.1%	★★★★☆
2023	72.5	159 of 645	75.3%	★★★★☆
2022	73.9	138 of 656	79.0%	★★★★☆
2021	74.9	127 of 656	80.6%	★★★★☆
2019	60.2	245 of 646	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	79.3	111 of 640	82.7%	★★★★☆
2017	72.6	143 of 639	77.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2025	47.8	102 of 206	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.7	70 of 196	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.6	45 of 184	75.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	69.6	166 of 668	75.1%	★★★★☆
2025	72.3	144 of 660	78.2%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	102 of 670	84.8%	★★★★☆
2023	75.5	110 of 623	82.3%	★★★★☆
2022	70.7	142 of 651	78.2%	★★★★☆
2021	70.3	156 of 653	76.1%	★★★★☆
2019	69.6	143 of 649	78.0%	★★★★☆
2018	80.0	85 of 651	86.9%	★★★★☆
2017	70.9	115 of 567	79.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	72.7	163 of 660	75.3%	★★★★☆
2025	80.1	103 of 651	84.2%	★★★★☆
2024	80.4	100 of 655	84.7%	★★★★☆
2023	73.3	151 of 649	76.7%	★★★★☆
2022	63.8	227 of 669	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	66.6	197 of 669	70.6%	★★★★☆
2019	72.0	159 of 650	75.5%	★★★★☆
2018	80.1	112 of 650	82.8%	★★★★☆
2017	70.4	154 of 639	75.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	59.9	182 of 500	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	68.5	145 of 532	72.7%	★★★★☆
2024	78.7	94 of 535	82.4%	★★★★☆
2023	72.5	112 of 528	78.8%	★★★★☆
2022	64.2	166 of 540	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.2	174 of 539	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.8	164 of 529	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	75.6	102 of 508	79.9%	★★★★☆
2017	66.8	106 of 369	71.3%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	86.4	45 of 443	89.8%	★★★★★
2025	82.4	52 of 439	88.2%	★★★★☆
2024	73.6	85 of 442	80.8%	★★★★☆
2023	79.3	64 of 437	85.4%	★★★★☆
2022	78.6	60 of 432	86.1%	★★★★☆
2021	76.4	66 of 440	85.0%	★★★★☆
2019	88.2	38 of 437	91.3%	★★★★★
2018	84.7	49 of 423	88.4%	★★★★☆
2017	85.1	44 of 432	89.8%	★★★★★
2016	85.5	45 of 432	89.6%	★★★★☆
2015	81.5	53 of 430	87.7%	★★★★☆
2014	74.5	71 of 438	83.8%	★★★★☆
2013	65.1	134 of 436	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	66.1	132 of 436	69.7%	★★★★☆
2011	65.9	151 of 435	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	58.6	185 of 435	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	43.6	263 of 425	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	47.1	238 of 417	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	40.7	264 of 412	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	34.9	297 of 409	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	70.0	83 of 415	80.0%	★★★★☆
2004	37.6	274 of 407	32.7%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	81.1	60 of 422	85.8%	★★★★☆
2025	76.3	71 of 415	82.9%	★★★★☆
2024	72.0	90 of 426	78.9%	★★★★☆
2023	79.1	63 of 417	84.9%	★★★★☆
2022	78.4	61 of 423	85.6%	★★★★☆
2021	73.6	70 of 415	83.1%	★★★★☆
2019	82.3	45 of 399	88.7%	★★★★☆
2018	84.2	44 of 392	88.8%	★★★★☆
2017	75.9	64 of 380	83.2%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2025	68.6	44 of 173	74.6%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	82.7	40 of 432	90.7%	★★★★★
2025	79.4	54 of 428	87.4%	★★★★☆
2024	61.5	130 of 437	70.3%	★★★★☆
2023	77.1	51 of 410	87.6%	★★★★☆
2022	81.9	29 of 421	93.1%	★★★★★
2021	74.7	51 of 415	87.7%	★★★★☆
2019	82.6	31 of 396	92.2%	★★★★★
2018	75.7	64 of 396	83.8%	★★★★☆
2017	83.7	27 of 349	92.3%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	85.6	44 of 421	89.5%	★★★★☆
2025	82.9	54 of 422	87.2%	★★★★☆
2024	71.8	89 of 428	79.2%	★★★★☆
2023	77.0	66 of 419	84.2%	★★★★☆
2022	74.2	73 of 427	82.9%	★★★★☆
2021	75.6	64 of 418	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	91.0	20 of 399	95.0%	★★★★★
2018	83.4	44 of 397	88.9%	★★★★☆
2017	87.0	29 of 380	92.4%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	59.7	48 of 145	66.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	28.5	205 of 266	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	85.3	39 of 355	89.0%	★★★★☆
2025	82.3	52 of 377	86.2%	★★★★☆
2024	69.1	85 of 373	77.2%	★★★★☆
2023	73.8	70 of 370	81.1%	★★★★☆
2022	73.1	64 of 376	83.0%	★★★★☆
2021	73.8	62 of 369	83.2%	★★★★☆
2019	90.1	25 of 343	92.7%	★★★★★
2018	82.1	45 of 331	86.4%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	92.4	26 of 380	93.2%	★★★★★
2025	80.0	61 of 374	83.7%	★★★★☆
2024	80.4	54 of 378	85.7%	★★★★☆
2023	70.0	92 of 371	75.2%	★★★★☆
2022	58.6	122 of 367	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	84.5	45 of 371	87.9%	★★★★☆
2019	66.1	119 of 366	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.5	127 of 356	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	51.3	148 of 353	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	79.7	48 of 351	86.3%	★★★★☆
2015	56.0	133 of 353	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	65.4	104 of 358	70.9%	★★★★☆
2013	70.8	49 of 358	86.3%	★★★★☆
2012	77.4	41 of 358	88.5%	★★★★☆
2011	74.0	57 of 360	84.2%	★★★★☆
2010	45.5	228 of 358	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2009	46.6	218 of 357	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	65.4	104 of 359	71.0%	★★★★☆
2007	70.3	97 of 358	72.9%	★★★★☆
2006	52.6	189 of 357	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	54.7	172 of 359	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2004	75.6	48 of 357	86.6%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2018	27.3	172 of 223	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	23.7	165 of 189	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	96.9	13 of 372	96.5%	★★★★★
2025	80.7	61 of 359	83.0%	★★★★☆
2024	65.7	103 of 366	71.9%	★★★★☆
2023	82.2	54 of 358	84.9%	★★★★☆
2022	56.9	143 of 367	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	80.6	55 of 359	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	64.9	119 of 354	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.0	121 of 347	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	65.7	96 of 343	72.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	94.7	11 of 377	97.1%	★★★★★
2025	91.8	21 of 367	94.3%	★★★★★
2024	79.9	42 of 375	88.8%	★★★★☆
2023	50.4	148 of 349	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	77.6	53 of 361	85.3%	★★★★☆
2021	77.0	56 of 361	84.5%	★★★★☆
2019	60.4	128 of 358	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.8	197 of 349	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	44.2	169 of 315	46.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	84.7	45 of 375	88.0%	★★★★☆
2025	74.6	70 of 363	80.7%	★★★★☆
2024	88.3	34 of 368	90.8%	★★★★★
2023	47.1	169 of 358	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.9	138 of 366	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	85.1	43 of 366	88.3%	★★★★☆
2019	62.0	133 of 357	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.8	132 of 350	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	35.0	217 of 339	36.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	83.6	43 of 316	86.4%	★★★★☆
2025	70.9	81 of 325	75.1%	★★★★☆
2024	78.8	56 of 325	82.8%	★★★★☆
2023	67.1	91 of 317	71.3%	★★★★☆
2022	44.5	160 of 326	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	81.8	50 of 319	84.3%	★★★★☆
2019	63.3	96 of 313	69.3%	★★★★☆
2018	64.1	93 of 300	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	46.8	102 of 230	55.7%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

English Language Learner (2023)95th percentile+16 vs school

Male (2026)75th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)75th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)67th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)64th percentile-9 vs school

Hispanic (2025)50th percentile-26 vs school

African American (2026)38th percentile-34 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)91st percentile~ school

Male (2026)90th percentile~ school

White (2026)89th percentile~ school

Female (2026)86th percentile-4 vs school

Hispanic (2025)75th percentile-14 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)67th percentile-23 vs school

Special Education (2026)23rd percentile-67 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)97th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2026)97th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)88th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)86th percentile-7 vs school

African American (2018)23rd percentile-41 vs school

By subject vs Alabama (2025-2026) ?

English71%+14 vs state

Science58%+11 vs state

Mathematics47%+12 vs state

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Schools Near Ariton School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				Summative Assessment Mathematics (2026)							Summative Assessment Science (2026)			Summative Assessment English (2026)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	Summative Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 11th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 4th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 8th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 11th Grade	Summative Assessment English 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment English 4th Grade	Summative Assessment English 5th Grade	Summative Assessment English 6th Grade	Summative Assessment English 7th Grade	Summative Assessment English 8th Grade	Summative Assessment English 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Ariton School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	264 Creel Richardson Drive	Ariton	36311	Dale County	Dale County	No	No	No	Yes	(334) 762-2371	887	49	18.2	47.2%	643 (72.5%)	103 (11.6%)	94 (10.6%)	13 (1.5%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	30 (3.4%)								(n/a)	52.1	45.3	34.3	59.2	43.7	44.0	47.8	54.7	65.3	53.6	77.5	61.3	83.6	80.3	77.5	66.7	50.7	$8,843	$1,101	$7,740
Eagle Academy	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	401 Martin Street	Ozark	36360	Dale County	Ozark City	No	No	No	No	(334) 774-5197																			(n/a)
Zion Chapel High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	29256 Highway 87	Jack	36346	Coffee County	Coffee County	No	No	No	Yes	(334) 897-6275	887	49	18.1	52.9%	824 (92.9%)	7 (0.8%)	23 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.8%)	4 (0.5%)	22 (2.5%)								(n/a)	68.9	75.0	52.9	63.8	21.4	15.8	22.2	82.8	59.2	46.3	85.3	79.4	85.1	82.8	53.6	73.7	20.4	$8,673	$1,088	$7,570

Frequently Asked Questions about Ariton School

What district is Ariton School in?

Dale County

What is the racial makeup of Ariton School?

Students at Ariton School are 72% White, 12% African American, 11% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Ariton School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 887 students attended Ariton School.

Is Ariton School a good school?

Ariton School ranks 191^st of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

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Latest Alabama data All new data »

2025–26 Summative Assessment scoresNewAug 14, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 27, 2025

2024–25 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2025

2021–22 through 2023–24 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 2, 2024

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.