Beulah Elementary School

Beulah Elementary School in Valley, AL, serves approximately 696 students from Pre-K through 6th grade as part of the Lee County school district, and has shown a steady climb in its statewide ranking over the past decade, now sitting in the 59th percentile with a 3-star rating.

One of the most exciting things happening at Beulah is the remarkable progress in the early grades. In the most recent assessment year, 3rd graders achieved 65% proficiency in math and 80% proficiency in English—both well above district and state averages. This is a dramatic jump from just a few years ago, suggesting the school has found effective strategies for teaching younger students. Another huge win is the dramatic reduction in chronic absenteeism, which dropped from 25% two years ago to just 9.8%—now better than both the district and state averages. The school also earns high marks for supporting students from lower-income backgrounds, ranking in the 65th percentile for helping these students succeed, which is better than its overall ranking.

However, there is a clear pattern of performance dropping off as students move into upper grades. While 3rd grade math proficiency is strong at 65%, it falls to just 29.7% in 4th grade and 37% in 5th grade. This is a persistent trend that suggests the transition to more complex curriculum in upper grades is a challenge. When compared to nearby Wacoochee Elementary School, which ranks in the 80th percentile, Beulah's 4th grade math scores are significantly lower (29.7% vs. 62.9%). On the positive side, 4th grade science proficiency has shown steady improvement and now nearly matches the district average. With continued focus on the upper-grade transition, Beulah has strong potential to build on its recent gains and continue climbing.