Hokes Bluff Middle School

Hokes Bluff Middle School in Hokes Bluff, AL, serves 253 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Etowah County district, and has climbed from a 2-star rating to a solid 4-star rating over the past seven years, now ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide.

If you're looking at this school, the standout strength is science. In the most recent school year, 76% of 8th graders were proficient in science—that's nearly 22 percentage points above the state average and even better than Piedmont Middle School, a top-ranked school about 15 miles away. English Language Arts is also consistently strong across all grade levels, with 8th graders outperforming the state by about 9 points. Another big plus: chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at just 5.7%, less than half the district rate of 15%. That means your child is likely to be in a classroom with peers who show up consistently, which supports steady learning. The school also does exceptionally well with male students, ranking in the 76th percentile for that subgroup, and has made dramatic improvements in supporting special education students over the last two years.

Math is the area to watch. While 8th-grade math has improved steadily, 6th-grade math proficiency dipped to 30%—below the state average and well behind Piedmont Middle School's 72%. That said, Hokes Bluff outperforms its closest neighbor, Glencoe Middle School, in nearly every subject, including nearly doubling Glencoe's 6th-grade math scores. The school also achieves these results while spending less per student than many nearby schools, including Litchfield Middle School, which spends nearly double but ranks far lower. Overall, Hokes Bluff offers a strong, improving academic environment with particular excellence in science and a clear culture of attendance—definitely worth a closer look.