Linden Elementary School

Linden Elementary School is a small, rural school in Linden, AL, serving 184 students in grades PK through 5 within the Linden City district.

For parents, the most important thing to know is that Linden Elementary is a school showing real long-term progress, though it still faces significant challenges. Over the past decade, its statewide ranking has climbed from the bottom 3rd percentile to the 25th percentile—a remarkable improvement. However, progress has not been steady. The school peaked in 2022-2023 and has dipped slightly since, which is common for a school this small, where one strong or weak class can swing the numbers dramatically. A standout bright spot is the current 3rd-grade class, which scored exceptionally well in math and English compared to the 4th and 5th graders in the same year. This suggests recent teaching changes in the early grades may be working, though it's too soon to tell if that success will carry forward. The school also earns high marks for its work with African American students, who have ranked in the 60th percentile statewide in recent years.

Compared to nearby Demopolis City schools like US Jones Elementary and Westside Elementary, Linden is much smaller and serves a far more economically disadvantaged population, with over 80% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Test scores are lower overall, and the gap widens significantly by 4th and 5th grade. Interestingly, Linden actually spends more per student ($12,533) than its neighbors, but that investment hasn't yet closed the achievement gap. Chronic absenteeism has also been a fluctuating issue, ranging from 0% to nearly 37% in recent years, though the latest rate of 12.7% is close to the state average. For parents, this is a school with genuine strengths and clear areas needing attention.