Augusta Evans School

Augusta Evans School is a small alternative school in Mobile, AL, serving 198 students in grades 1 through 12 within the Mobile County school district, where the vast majority of students (81%) come from economically disadvantaged households.

This school provides an exceptionally supportive learning environment with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and high per-student spending, yet academic outcomes remain critically low. In the most recent testing year, proficiency in math and English was 0% across all tested grades, with the only bright spot being 11th-grade science at 36% proficiency. Chronic absenteeism affects nearly one in four students (23.5%), which is roughly double the district and state averages. The school also reports a 0% graduation rate, though this likely reflects the transient nature of its student population, where many students transfer in and out or pursue alternative pathways not captured in traditional metrics. When compared to The Pathway, another alternative school in the same district, Augusta Evans has a lower student-teacher ratio but higher absenteeism and weaker test scores. Meanwhile, Alabama Destinations Career Academy, a virtual alternative school, reports a 74% graduation rate and measurable academic proficiency, and Floretta P Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy achieves 67% proficiency in 6th-grade English—both stark contrasts to Augusta Evans' results.

For parents considering this school, it's important to understand that Augusta Evans serves students who have not succeeded in traditional school settings, often due to behavioral, emotional, or academic challenges. The school invests heavily in individualized attention, but the data suggests that translating those resources into academic gains remains a significant struggle. The rising poverty rate among its students (from 76% to 81% in three years) indicates the school is serving an increasingly at-risk population. While the science scores offer a small sign of potential, the overall picture suggests that families should carefully weigh whether this environment meets their child's needs or whether alternative options in the area might offer stronger academic outcomes.