Moulton Middle School

Moulton Middle School serves 505 students in grades 5 through 8 in the small town of Moulton, AL, and is part of the Lawrence County school district.

For parents, the most important thing to know is that Moulton Middle has clear strengths and some areas that need attention. The school earns a 2-star rating overall, but its biggest challenge is math—especially in 7th grade, where only about 7% of students are proficient, compared to the state average of 24%. English scores are closer to state averages, and 8th grade science is a genuine bright spot, with proficiency rates well above the district average. Another positive trend: chronic absenteeism has dropped dramatically from 20.6% to 13% over the past two years, showing the school is making progress on getting kids to class. When compared to nearby East Lawrence Middle School in the same district, Moulton outperforms it in nearly every subject—for example, 8th grade math proficiency is more than triple East Lawrence's rate. Interestingly, Moulton also achieves results comparable to better-funded schools in the Decatur City district, despite spending significantly less per student.

One pattern parents may want to ask about is the drop-off in performance as students move through the grades. Fifth graders do reasonably well, but scores decline sharply by 7th grade before rebounding slightly in 8th. This could reflect a tougher curriculum or a need for more support during the middle school transition. The school also stands out for its success with African American students, who rank in the 73rd percentile statewide—a 4-star performance—while White students rank much lower. This unusual gap suggests the school has found strategies that work well for some groups but not others. Finally, it's worth noting that nearby West Morgan Middle School, which serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, outperforms Moulton in several subjects—a reminder that poverty alone doesn't determine outcomes. Overall, Moulton Middle is a school with real pockets of excellence and clear opportunities for growth, particularly in math and in supporting all students equally as they advance through the grades.