Ruhuma Junior High School

Ruhuma Junior High School is a small, rural school in Fort Payne, AL, serving 175 students from Pre-K through 8th grade in the DeKalb County district, where about two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most encouraging news for parents is that Ruhuma has made real progress in recent years. The school's overall state ranking has climbed from the 26th to the 39th percentile, and its students show up—only 2.5% are chronically absent, far better than the district average of 10.6% and the state's 12%. This is a dramatic turnaround from just a few years ago. Academically, English Language Arts is a clear strength, especially in 5th and 6th grades, where proficiency rates now meet or beat district and state averages. The school has also seen remarkable gains for its low-income students, who went from the 24th to the 48th percentile statewide in just two years. With a favorable 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio, kids are likely getting more individual attention than at many nearby schools.

However, there are significant challenges. Math proficiency takes a sharp dive in middle school—only 5.3% of 7th graders are proficient in math, compared to 15.7% district-wide, and 16.7% of 6th graders versus 33.5% for the district. Science scores also lag, with 4th and 8th graders trailing district averages by 13 to 20 points. The comparison to Henagar Junior High School, a similar school in the same district, is striking: Henagar ranks in the 72nd percentile and posts dramatically higher math scores (90% vs. 33.3% in 3rd grade). Ruhuma also spends more per student ($12,393) than any nearby school, yet outcomes remain lower. While the school is clearly heading in the right direction, parents should be aware that middle school math and science will likely need extra support at home.