Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology

Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology is a magnet-style elementary school in Dothan, AL, serving 429 students in grades 3 through 6 within the Dothan City school district.

This school is a true standout. Carver has earned a 5-star rating and ranked in the top 5% of all Alabama elementary schools for five straight years, including a peak rank of 12th in the state. What makes this especially remarkable is that over 55% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—a demographic often associated with lower test scores. Yet Carver's results are nothing short of extraordinary. In a recent school year, 85% of 3rd graders were proficient in math, compared to a district average of just 26.7%. In English, 100% of 3rd graders were proficient versus a 52.1% district average. This pattern holds across every grade and subject, with Carver outperforming its district by 40 to 60 percentage points. The school also ranks 1st in the state for Hispanic students and 3rd for special education students, proving its success reaches every child.

The contrast with nearby schools is stark. While Faine Elementary School, Girard Elementary School, and Beverlye Intermediate School struggle with proficiency rates in the single digits, Carver's rates sit in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Even the next best school in the district, Highlands Elementary School, ranks 192nd in the state compared to Carver's 32nd. One area to watch: 5th-grade math proficiency dips to around 46%, though that's still double the state average. Chronic absenteeism has also crept up to 12%, matching the state average. Still, Carver proves that high-poverty schools can achieve exceptional results—a powerful model for the entire district.