Red Bay Elementary

Red Bay Elementary is a PK-6 school in Red Bay, AL, serving 410 students within the Franklin County district, and it has shown a positive upward trend in recent years, moving from the 45th to the 66th percentile statewide.

The school’s standout strength is mathematics. In 2025-2026, proficiency rates were dramatically above state averages at every grade level—for example, 5th grade math hit 65.9% proficiency versus 39.1% statewide, and 6th grade reached 59.6% versus 35.2% statewide. This isn’t a one-year fluke; the school has consistently posted math scores 10-25 points above state averages. Another notable bright spot is the school’s work with students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who have earned 4-star ratings for three straight years, placing them in the 75th-80th percentile statewide. The school also keeps chronic absenteeism low, at 9.6% in 2021-2022 compared to 17.8% statewide. While there are no nearby schools for direct comparison, Red Bay Elementary consistently outperforms the Franklin County district average in all 10 subject/grade combinations tested.

However, performance is not uniform across all areas. English Language Arts results are more moderate, hovering near state averages—for instance, 5th grade ELA was 68.2% versus 69.5% statewide. There is also notable year-to-year volatility in specific grades, such as 4th grade math swinging from 29.8% to 74.5% and back to 52.6% over three years, which may reflect small class sizes. The White student subgroup has seen a decline from the 57th to 44th percentile, and special education results have dropped from a 5-star to a 3-star rating. Overall, this is a school with clear math strengths and a proven ability to support low-income students, though it faces challenges in maintaining consistency and boosting literacy outcomes.