Geneva County Elementary School

Geneva County Elementary School in Hartford, AL, serves 474 students from Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the Geneva County district, which ranks in the top third of Alabama districts.

This school has become a true success story. Over the past decade, it has climbed from a 2-star rating in the bottom third of the state to a 4-star school ranking in the 87th percentile statewide—a remarkable turnaround that has held steady for six consecutive years. What makes this even more impressive is how well the school serves students who often face additional challenges. With nearly 58% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school ranks in the 95th percentile for academic performance with low-income students, a standout achievement. The school also excels across all subjects, with proficiency rates well above state averages—for example, 4th-grade math proficiency is 67.61% compared to the state average of 42.07%, and 5th-grade English Language Arts proficiency reaches 85.45%. Male students have shown particularly dramatic improvement, jumping from the 65th to the 92nd percentile in just two years. The school also makes efficient use of its resources, spending less per student than many nearby schools while achieving better results.

One area that deserves attention is chronic absenteeism. At 12.3%, the school's rate is more than double the district average of 5.5% and notably higher than Slocomb Elementary School's 5.9% rate. This is worth watching, as attendance can impact future academic performance. When compared to nearby Wicksburg Elementary School—a 5-star school with a 1.4% absenteeism rate—there's an opportunity to learn from a high-achieving neighbor, particularly in early-grade foundational skills. Overall, Geneva County Elementary is a high-performing, equitable school with a proven track record of lifting all students, and its main challenge moving forward will be improving attendance to ensure continued success.