Fayette Middle School

Fayette Middle School in Fayette, AL, serves 318 students in grades 5 through 8 and is part of the Fayette County district, which holds a 3-star rating. The school itself has maintained a consistent 3-star rating over the past decade, though its state ranking has slipped slightly in recent years, now placing it in the 51st percentile statewide—a solid, middle-of-the-pack position.

The most notable trend at Fayette Middle is a recent gap in performance between male and female students. In the 2025-2026 school year, female students ranked in the 59th percentile while male students dropped to the 42nd percentile—a significant shift from just two years prior when both groups performed equally. The school also faces challenges supporting its low-income students, who make up nearly 60% of the student body; their performance has dipped from the 43rd to the 39th percentile over the past few years. Special education students have seen inconsistent results, ranging from the 24th to 33rd percentile, indicating a need for more stable support. Chronic absenteeism sits at 12.5%, slightly above the state average and notably higher than nearby schools.

Despite these challenges, Fayette Middle shows clear strengths, particularly in 8th grade. In 2025-2026, 36.47% of 8th graders scored proficient in math—well above the district (26.58%) and state (26.36%) averages—and 60% were proficient in science. This is a dramatic turnaround from just two years prior when only 5.26% of 8th graders were proficient in math. When compared to Northside Middle School, a nearby school with a slightly higher overall ranking, Fayette actually outperforms it in 8th-grade math and science. However, Winfield Middle School, about 17 miles away, ranks in the 87th percentile and outperforms Fayette in nearly every subject, though it serves a student population with fewer economic challenges. Fayette Middle demonstrates real potential for excellence, and targeted support for its male, low-income, and special education students could help stabilize outcomes across all grade levels.