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Sweet Water High School

Q: Is Sweet Water High School a good school?

Sweet Water High School ranks 264 th of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

264^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 686 Alabama Alternative Schools

Better than 62% of Alabama alternative schools

Summary

Sweet Water High School in Sweet Water, AL, is a PK-12 school within the Marengo County district, serving 600 students in a small, rural community. It is the largest of the three district high schools, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, and about 58% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Academically, Sweet Water stands out as the strongest performer in its district. In math, the school consistently beats both district and state averages—for example, 11th-grade math proficiency hit 37.5% in 2025-2026, compared to 26.09% for the district and 27.21% for the state. This is especially striking when compared to Marengo High School, where 11th-grade math proficiency was 0% that same year. Early grades are a particular strength: 3rd-grade math proficiency reached 74.47%, far above the state's 44.89%. However, math scores dip in middle school (7th grade: 30.77%), though they still exceed district averages. English proficiency is stable and strong across most grades, with a dramatic improvement in 11th grade—jumping from 5.56% in 2023-2024 to 32.5% in 2025-2026. Science results are mixed, with high school science (42.5%) exceeding state averages while 4th and 8th grade science lag behind.

Beyond test scores, Sweet Water shows positive momentum. Chronic absenteeism dropped sharply from 20.1% in 2022-2023 to 8.9% in 2024-2025, now below the state average of 12.0%. The graduation rate (90.0%) is close to the state average, though it has fluctuated between 87.1% and 92.6% in recent years. Notably, the school achieves these results while spending less per student ($10,240) than Amelia L Johnson High School ($15,738) or Marengo High School ($13,444). For parents, this suggests a school that uses resources efficiently and delivers strong academic outcomes, especially in early grades and math, despite serving a large student body with economic needs.

600

Students ?

15.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,391

Per pupil spending ?

58.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

440 Main Street
Sweet Water, AL 36782

(334) 994-4263

District: Marengo County

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.3%

African American:

35.3%

Two or more races:

2.3%

See top rated Alabama elementary schools

Compare Sweet Water High School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 33rd percentile in 2024 → 76th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 76th (2026) from a 33rd-percentile low (2024)

✓Above the Alabama median (62nd percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg42%

Alabama avg46%

Elementary school

264^th of 686

Alabama public elementary schools ?

Top 38%▼ down 21 pts since 2016

From top 18% (2016) to top 38% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

128^th of 449

Alabama public middle schools ?

Top 29%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 12% (2016) to top 29% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

92^nd of 386

Alabama public high schools ?

Top 24%▼ down 14 pts since 2016

From top 10% (2016) to top 24% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3Alternative Schools in the Marengo County

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	61.9	264 of 686	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	69.4	198 of 680	70.9%	★★★★☆
2024	70.8	180 of 684	73.7%	★★★★☆
2023	66.9	214 of 680	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.6	249 of 687	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	81.3	95 of 692	86.3%	★★★★☆
2019	84.1	85 of 681	87.5%	★★★★☆
2018	79.8	122 of 680	82.1%	★★★★☆
2017	78.4	129 of 688	81.3%	★★★★☆
2016	78.5	123 of 691	82.2%	★★★★☆
2015	74.3	151 of 691	78.1%	★★★★☆
2014	73.6	133 of 695	80.9%	★★★★☆
2013	72.5	126 of 696	81.9%	★★★★☆
2012	78.5	76 of 696	89.1%	★★★★☆
2011	62.6	289 of 709	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	66.3	233 of 704	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2009	62.1	266 of 696	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	60.0	280 of 698	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	59.2	307 of 698	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	46.2	402 of 689	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2005	50.1	366 of 688	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2004	57.5	270 of 623	56.7%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	71.0	84 of 428	80.4%	★★★★☆
2025	64.2	117 of 427	72.6%	★★★★☆
2024	62.4	118 of 420	71.9%	★★★★☆
2023	57.4	139 of 427	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	37.5	246 of 426	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	80.2	45 of 426	89.4%	★★★★☆
2019	87.9	31 of 426	92.7%	★★★★★
2018	84.6	42 of 423	90.1%	★★★★★
2017	74.7	48 of 336	85.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	61.1	250 of 651	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	69.7	177 of 649	72.7%	★★★★☆
2024	70.4	172 of 650	73.5%	★★★★☆
2023	68.9	195 of 645	69.8%	★★★★☆
2022	64.3	213 of 656	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	81.3	91 of 656	86.1%	★★★★☆
2019	71.9	145 of 646	77.6%	★★★★☆
2018	66.2	200 of 640	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	62.3	215 of 639	66.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	56.8	274 of 667	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.0	155 of 660	76.5%	★★★★☆
2024	63.8	234 of 670	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.7	186 of 623	70.1%	★★★★☆
2022	52.6	319 of 651	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	81.8	70 of 653	89.3%	★★★★☆
2019	87.5	34 of 649	94.8%	★★★★★
2018	87.1	43 of 651	93.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	57.0	290 of 659	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.2	228 of 651	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	67.0	205 of 655	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.4	240 of 649	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.6	277 of 669	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	78.5	107 of 669	84.0%	★★★★☆
2019	87.2	62 of 650	90.5%	★★★★★
2018	85.4	76 of 650	88.3%	★★★★☆
2017	86.4	62 of 639	90.3%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	50.1	245 of 501	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	69.8	135 of 532	74.6%	★★★★☆
2024	71.5	131 of 535	75.5%	★★★★☆
2023	69.1	130 of 528	75.4%	★★★★☆
2022	62.6	180 of 540	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	76.7	98 of 539	81.8%	★★★★☆
2019	83.2	67 of 529	87.3%	★★★★☆
2018	77.3	94 of 508	81.5%	★★★★☆
2017	66.5	108 of 369	70.7%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	64.9	128 of 449	71.5%	★★★★☆
2025	52.3	187 of 439	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	78.7	69 of 442	84.4%	★★★★☆
2023	79.3	62 of 437	85.8%	★★★★☆
2022	66.4	113 of 432	73.8%	★★★★☆
2021	66.7	106 of 440	75.9%	★★★★☆
2019	89.0	30 of 437	93.1%	★★★★★
2018	81.7	56 of 423	86.8%	★★★★☆
2017	86.4	38 of 432	91.2%	★★★★★
2016	83.5	54 of 432	87.5%	★★★★☆
2015	73.8	72 of 430	83.3%	★★★★☆
2014	69.5	95 of 438	78.3%	★★★★☆
2013	72.5	86 of 436	80.3%	★★★★☆
2012	77.0	67 of 436	84.6%	★★★★☆
2011	70.3	115 of 435	73.6%	★★★★☆
2010	61.2	168 of 435	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	58.9	163 of 425	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2008	59.6	149 of 417	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	75.5	68 of 412	83.5%	★★★★☆
2006	50.1	206 of 409	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2005	60.4	143 of 415	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2004	56.0	165 of 407	59.5%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	63.2	62 of 269	77.0%	★★★★☆
2025	53.1	89 of 259	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.1	46 of 269	82.9%	★★★★☆
2023	84.2	22 of 263	91.6%	★★★★★
2022	66.9	59 of 271	78.2%	★★★★☆
2021	80.8	31 of 266	88.3%	★★★★☆
2019	96.8	10 of 252	96.0%	★★★★★
2018	84.4	24 of 247	90.3%	★★★★★
2017	83.9	21 of 205	89.8%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2018	99.5	1 of 25	96.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	69.4	101 of 427	76.3%	★★★★☆
2025	49.0	205 of 415	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	81.3	52 of 426	87.8%	★★★★☆
2023	80.8	52 of 417	87.5%	★★★★☆
2022	58.0	154 of 423	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.4	227 of 415	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	74.3	70 of 399	82.5%	★★★★☆
2018	80.2	55 of 392	86.0%	★★★★☆
2017	83.6	42 of 380	88.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	66.8	107 of 438	75.6%	★★★★☆
2025	53.8	170 of 428	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.1	92 of 437	78.9%	★★★★☆
2023	77.3	50 of 410	87.8%	★★★★☆
2022	31.8	305 of 421	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	62.7	126 of 415	69.6%	★★★★☆
2019	93.5	9 of 396	97.7%	★★★★★
2018	84.3	26 of 396	93.4%	★★★★★
2017	85.7	21 of 349	94.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	50.8	197 of 426	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.4	194 of 422	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	74.3	78 of 428	81.8%	★★★★☆
2023	74.8	74 of 419	82.3%	★★★★☆
2022	71.5	87 of 427	79.6%	★★★★☆
2021	78.7	54 of 418	87.1%	★★★★☆
2019	91.8	18 of 399	95.5%	★★★★★
2018	79.3	55 of 397	86.1%	★★★★☆
2017	83.8	39 of 380	89.7%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	50.4	104 of 269	61.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	64.2	98 of 359	72.7%	★★★★☆
2025	52.7	147 of 377	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	79.4	60 of 373	83.9%	★★★★☆
2023	75.6	63 of 370	83.0%	★★★★☆
2022	66.2	95 of 376	74.7%	★★★★☆
2021	63.7	99 of 369	73.2%	★★★★☆
2019	86.5	33 of 343	90.4%	★★★★★
2018	75.5	59 of 331	82.2%	★★★★☆
2017	79.0	36 of 247	85.4%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	72.5	92 of 386	76.2%	★★★★☆
2025	51.4	172 of 374	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	33.3	252 of 378	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	88.6	42 of 371	88.7%	★★★★☆
2022	95.6	17 of 367	95.4%	★★★★★
2021	95.5	17 of 371	95.4%	★★★★★
2019	93.5	23 of 366	93.7%	★★★★★
2018	83.4	49 of 356	86.2%	★★★★☆
2017	67.4	90 of 353	74.5%	★★★★☆
2016	85.5	34 of 351	90.3%	★★★★★
2015	68.0	89 of 353	74.8%	★★★★☆
2014	69.5	88 of 358	75.4%	★★★★☆
2013	71.2	42 of 358	88.3%	★★★★☆
2012	77.8	38 of 358	89.4%	★★★★☆
2011	78.7	37 of 360	89.7%	★★★★☆
2010	75.0	55 of 358	84.6%	★★★★☆
2009	54.4	172 of 357	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	56.5	166 of 359	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2007	69.0	105 of 358	70.7%	★★★★☆
2006	69.4	72 of 357	79.8%	★★★★☆
2005	73.9	58 of 359	83.8%	★★★★☆
2004	85.3	19 of 357	94.7%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	40.1	132 of 238	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.2	103 of 228	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.4	58 of 231	74.9%	★★★★☆
2023	90.7	17 of 224	92.4%	★★★★★
2021	88.2	18 of 228	92.1%	★★★★★
2019	99.3	6 of 224	97.3%	★★★★★
2018	79.7	26 of 223	88.3%	★★★★☆
2017	69.6	29 of 189	84.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	73.2	81 of 377	78.5%	★★★★☆
2025	38.2	205 of 359	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	13.7	328 of 366	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	78.7	65 of 358	81.8%	★★★★☆
2022	99.6	5 of 367	98.6%	★★★★★
2021	87.6	39 of 359	89.1%	★★★★☆
2019	95.7	11 of 354	96.9%	★★★★★
2018	87.7	35 of 347	89.9%	★★★★★
2017	77.8	60 of 343	82.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	48.0	182 of 383	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	40.1	207 of 367	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	15.4	348 of 375	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	96.9	9 of 349	97.4%	★★★★★
2021	95.3	13 of 361	96.4%	★★★★★
2019	98.8	5 of 358	98.6%	★★★★★
2018	96.4	9 of 349	97.4%	★★★★★
2017	80.2	33 of 315	89.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	65.4	106 of 380	72.1%	★★★★☆
2025	63.2	113 of 363	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.7	168 of 368	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	92.5	27 of 358	92.5%	★★★★★
2022	60.1	116 of 366	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	97.9	11 of 366	97.0%	★★★★★
2019	87.3	38 of 357	89.4%	★★★★☆
2018	65.1	112 of 350	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	34.2	220 of 339	35.1%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	81.6	48 of 320	85.0%	★★★★☆
2025	63.5	104 of 325	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	21.5	273 of 325	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	92.2	25 of 317	92.1%	★★★★★
2022	95.3	19 of 326	94.2%	★★★★★
2021	96.8	15 of 319	95.3%	★★★★★
2019	89.2	29 of 313	90.7%	★★★★★
2018	89.1	37 of 300	87.7%	★★★★☆
2017	61.8	71 of 230	69.1%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

African American (2026)80th percentile+19 vs school

Female (2026)62nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)59th percentile-3 vs school

Male (2026)56th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)51st percentile-10 vs school

Middle school

English Language Learner (2018)96th percentile+9 vs school

African American (2026)77th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2026)76th percentile+5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)76th percentile+4 vs school

White (2026)73rd percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)61st percentile-10 vs school

Male (2026)54th percentile-18 vs school

High school

White (2026)85th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)79th percentile~ school

Male (2026)72nd percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile-24 vs school

African American (2026)45th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Alabama (2025-2026) ?

English57%~ state avg

Mathematics46%+12 vs state

Science42%-5 vs state

★

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Schools Near Sweet Water High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				Summative Assessment Mathematics (2026)							Summative Assessment Science (2026)			Summative Assessment English (2026)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	Summative Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 11th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 4th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 8th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 11th Grade	Summative Assessment English 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment English 4th Grade	Summative Assessment English 5th Grade	Summative Assessment English 6th Grade	Summative Assessment English 7th Grade	Summative Assessment English 8th Grade	Summative Assessment English 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sweet Water High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	440 Main Street	Sweet Water	36782	Marengo County	Marengo County	No	No	No	Yes	(334) 994-4263	600	38	15.7	58.3%	362 (60.3%)	212 (35.3%)	11 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.3%)								(n/a)	74.5	55.6	34.8	57.5	30.8	33.3	37.5	38.9	44.4	42.5	76.6	55.6	56.5	62.5	56.4	58.3	32.5	$13,391	$3,466	$9,904
Marengo High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	212 Panther Drive	Dixons Mills	36736	Marengo County	Marengo County	No	No	No	Yes	(334) 992-2395	223	17	13.1	86.5%	2 (0.9%)	221 (99.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	60.0	22.7	23.5	8.3	0.0	8.3	0.0	31.8	41.7	20.0	60.0	36.4	64.7	25.0	63.6	50.0	0.0	$17,920	$5,330	$12,568
Amelia L Johnson High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	201 Coates Ave	Thomaston	36783	Marengo County	Marengo County	No	No	No	Yes	(334) 627-3364	142	14	10.1	83.8%	3 (2.1%)	139 (97.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	16.7	25.0	36.4		13.3		21.4	33.3		14.3	58.3	50.0	36.4		53.3		14.3	$25,882	$10,308	$15,552

Frequently Asked Questions about Sweet Water High School

How many students attend Sweet Water High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 600 students attended Sweet Water High School.

Is Sweet Water High School a good school?

Sweet Water High School ranks 264^th of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Sweet Water High School?

Students at Sweet Water High School are 60% White, 35% African American, 2% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

What district is Sweet Water High School in?

Marengo County

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Latest Alabama data All new data »

2019–20 through 2022–23 school spending dataOct 6, 2026

2025–26 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 27, 2025

2024–25 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.