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J U Blacksher School

Q: Is J U Blacksher School a good school?

J U Blacksher School ranks 384 th of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

384^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 686 Alabama Alternative Schools

Better than 44% of Alabama alternative schools

Summary

J U Blacksher School in Uriah, AL, is a public PK-12 school serving 747 students in a rural community, and it is part of the Monroe County school district.

This school presents a fascinating mix of strengths and challenges. In the elementary and middle school years, students at J U Blacksher often outperform their peers at nearby Excel High School in key subjects. For example, in 5th grade math, 39% of J U Blacksher students were proficient compared to 20% at Excel, and in 8th grade science, a standout 70% of students were proficient—well above the state average of 54%. English Language Arts scores are also strong in the lower grades, with 5th graders hitting a 75% proficiency rate. However, this academic success does not carry through to high school. By 11th grade, ELA proficiency drops to just 21.5%, which is less than half of Excel's rate, and math scores also decline significantly. This suggests that while the school builds a solid foundation early on, something is causing students to disengage as they get older.

The most pressing concerns are graduation rates and attendance. J U Blacksher's graduation rate has fallen steadily from 91% in 2019 to just 78.8% in 2025—far below the state average of 91.5% and the district's 87.7%. Chronic absenteeism is also a major issue, with 20.2% of students missing significant school time, nearly double the state rate. This is a stark contrast to Excel High School, which boasts a 92.1% graduation rate and a much lower 13.1% chronic absenteeism rate. For parents, this means J U Blacksher offers a strong start in the early grades, but the school faces real challenges in keeping students engaged and on track through high school. The 8th-grade science program is a clear bright spot worth celebrating, and it may offer lessons that could help improve outcomes in other areas.

747

Students ?

17.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$7,869

Per pupil spending ?

53.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

15933 Hwy 21 S
Uriah, AL 36480

(251) 862-2130

District: Monroe County

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.2%

American Indian:

19.4%

African American:

9.5%

See top rated Alabama elementary schools

Compare J U Blacksher School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 51st percentile in 2023 → 40th in 2026

Worth a look

!Graduation rate below the Alabama average (79% vs 92%)

!High chronic absenteeism (20% vs 12% Alabama)

!Ranking has slipped — down 11 percentile points since 2023

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg36%

Alabama avg46%

Elementary school

384^th of 686

Alabama public elementary schools ?

Bottom 44%▲ up 9 pts since 2016

From bottom 35% (2016) to bottom 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

197^th of 443

Alabama public middle schools ?

Top 44%▲ up 29 pts since 2016

From bottom 26% (2016) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

229^th of 380

Alabama public high schools ?

Bottom 40%▼ down 36 pts since 2016

From top 24% (2016) to bottom 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3Alternative Schools in the Monroe County

104^th of 139Monroe County among Alabama districts

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	46.8	384 of 686	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	45.2	388 of 680	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.6	418 of 684	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.4	484 of 680	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	36.0	440 of 687	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.7	442 of 692	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	48.2	370 of 681	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.3	465 of 680	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	45.9	393 of 688	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	37.4	451 of 691	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2015	32.2	493 of 691	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	42.3	431 of 695	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2013	54.2	389 of 696	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2012	52.5	405 of 696	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	45.5	476 of 709	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	40.2	520 of 704	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	50.1	389 of 696	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	52.2	358 of 698	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	59.1	308 of 698	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2006	62.5	238 of 689	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2005	78.0	101 of 688	85.3%	★★★★☆
2004	73.7	123 of 623	80.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	40.0	415 of 652	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.7	393 of 649	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.5	419 of 650	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	24.7	499 of 645	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.3	447 of 656	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.2	393 of 656	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	56.8	268 of 646	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.7	368 of 640	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	49.5	333 of 639	47.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	60.0	258 of 668	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.7	370 of 660	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.6	385 of 670	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.8	451 of 623	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	38.8	410 of 651	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.4	420 of 653	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.5	410 of 649	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	31.8	474 of 651	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	44.7	340 of 567	40.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	53.1	324 of 660	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	51.0	334 of 651	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.8	374 of 655	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.1	420 of 649	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	37.9	411 of 669	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.5	426 of 669	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.2	412 of 650	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	26.0	494 of 650	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	38.4	413 of 639	35.4%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2022	55.9	22 of 65	66.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	29.6	380 of 500	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	28.3	421 of 532	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.5	432 of 535	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	13.3	492 of 528	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	22.1	466 of 540	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	23.6	450 of 539	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.5	401 of 529	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	18.5	462 of 508	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	20.5	322 of 369	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	53.6	197 of 443	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	42.7	257 of 439	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.5	265 of 442	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	32.1	308 of 437	29.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.3	260 of 432	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	29.8	315 of 440	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.6	320 of 437	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.5	309 of 423	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	40.9	256 of 432	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	28.7	318 of 432	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	46.7	212 of 430	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	30.2	321 of 438	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	40.4	321 of 436	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	42.9	294 of 436	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	40.4	286 of 435	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	32.0	327 of 435	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	30.3	328 of 425	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	48.6	231 of 417	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2007	54.0	192 of 412	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	49.9	208 of 409	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	64.9	112 of 415	73.0%	★★★★☆
2004	57.5	160 of 407	60.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	47.1	223 of 422	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.3	221 of 415	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.9	226 of 426	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	40.7	249 of 417	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	47.9	214 of 423	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.5	262 of 415	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	24.1	316 of 399	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.4	255 of 392	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	50.0	189 of 380	50.3%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	59.4	145 of 432	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	39.6	258 of 428	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	49.3	202 of 437	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	36.2	273 of 410	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.7	306 of 421	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	24.6	331 of 415	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.5	290 of 396	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	36.4	265 of 396	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	44.5	192 of 349	45.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	56.7	159 of 421	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	39.3	260 of 422	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.3	268 of 428	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.9	315 of 419	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.6	295 of 427	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	23.5	325 of 418	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.7	276 of 399	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	23.6	313 of 397	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	29.1	281 of 380	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2025	67.6	19 of 66	71.2%	★★★★☆
2024	56.6	28 of 69	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.0	26 of 61	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.6	30 of 65	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	40.1	34 of 56	39.3%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2023	38.7	158 of 281	43.8%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	43.0	193 of 355	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.8	277 of 377	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	34.8	252 of 373	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	26.3	299 of 370	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.0	260 of 376	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	20.9	315 of 369	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	14.7	321 of 343	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	15.7	309 of 331	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	24.4	197 of 247	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	39.2	229 of 380	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	68.6	99 of 374	73.5%	★★★★☆
2024	43.4	209 of 378	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.8	183 of 371	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	75.6	74 of 367	79.8%	★★★★☆
2021	16.9	310 of 371	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	59.3	149 of 366	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.2	187 of 356	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	21.2	281 of 353	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	68.4	85 of 351	75.8%	★★★★☆
2015	27.2	265 of 353	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	41.7	212 of 358	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	58.7	146 of 358	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	58.6	165 of 358	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	64.1	118 of 360	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	69.3	84 of 358	76.5%	★★★★☆
2009	67.3	88 of 357	75.4%	★★★★☆
2008	46.1	226 of 359	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2007	41.6	236 of 358	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2006	25.6	319 of 357	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	46.2	224 of 359	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2004	40.6	251 of 357	29.7%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	45.4	199 of 372	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	82.1	55 of 359	84.7%	★★★★☆
2024	22.6	288 of 366	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	47.9	162 of 358	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	74.1	78 of 367	78.7%	★★★★☆
2021	22.2	283 of 359	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	51.1	173 of 354	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.3	183 of 347	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	29.5	243 of 343	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	26.5	296 of 377	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	56.1	131 of 367	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.7	116 of 375	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.5	79 of 349	77.4%	★★★★☆
2022	28.1	263 of 361	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.3	277 of 361	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	75.4	67 of 358	81.3%	★★★★☆
2018	59.9	127 of 349	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	42.1	181 of 315	42.5%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	34.2	246 of 375	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.9	155 of 363	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.3	104 of 368	71.7%	★★★★☆
2023	37.6	212 of 358	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	73.4	78 of 366	78.7%	★★★★☆
2021	10.2	351 of 366	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	64.4	112 of 357	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.9	187 of 350	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	18.4	283 of 339	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2025	31.8	38 of 57	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	72.5	12 of 55	78.2%	★★★★☆
2022	68.2	11 of 40	72.5%	★★★★☆
2019	81.2	8 of 35	77.1%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	23.5	250 of 316	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	67.5	95 of 325	70.8%	★★★★☆
2024	33.9	211 of 325	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.5	169 of 317	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	65.6	86 of 326	73.6%	★★★★☆
2021	9.6	311 of 319	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	40.5	181 of 313	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.9	198 of 300	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	7.9	229 of 230	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

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

Native American (2022)66th percentile+30 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)61st percentile+17 vs school

Male (2026)51st percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)36th percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)24th percentile-20 vs school

Middle school

Native American (2025)71st percentile+30 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)66th percentile+11 vs school

Male (2026)62nd percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)47th percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)46th percentile-10 vs school

Special Education (2023)44th percentile+14 vs school

High school

Female (2026)47th percentile+7 vs school

Male (2026)34th percentile-5 vs school

Native American (2025)33rd percentile-40 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)21st percentile-18 vs school

White (2026)21st percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Alabama (2025-2026) ?

English54%-3 vs state

Science45%~ state avg

Mathematics29%-5 vs state

★

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Schools Near J U Blacksher 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 (2019)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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
J U Blacksher School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	15933 Hwy 21 S	Uriah	36480	Monroe County	Monroe County	No	No	No	Yes	(251) 862-2130	747	42	17.9	53.8%	457 (61.2%)	71 (9.5%)	18 (2.4%)	4 (0.5%)	145 (19.4%)	1 (0.1%)	51 (6.8%)								(n/a)	25.9	38.8	39.0	29.2	13.2	29.6	26.2	42.9	70.4	21.5	59.3	59.2	75.6	54.2	49.1	59.3	21.5	$7,869	$893	$6,948
Excel High School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	3010 Hwy 136 W	Excel	36439	Monroe County	Monroe County	No	No	No	Yes	(251) 765-9146	1,010	55	18.5	59.6%	718 (71.1%)	212 (21.0%)	27 (2.7%)	1 (0.1%)	8 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (4.4%)								(n/a)	32.9	34.3	20.0	20.0	20.7	28.4	28.0	42.9	60.8	38.7	63.2	45.7	72.0	53.9	65.9	55.4	48.7	$8,376	$1,006	$7,342
C P Carmichael Alternative School	Public, Alternative	K-12	1323 Veterans Drive	Monroeville	36460	Monroe County	Monroe County	No	No	No	No	(251) 575-4189																			(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about J U Blacksher School

What is the racial makeup of J U Blacksher School?

Students at J U Blacksher School are 61% White, 19% American Indian, 10% African American, 7% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

How many students attend J U Blacksher School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 747 students attended J U Blacksher School.

Is J U Blacksher School a good school?

J U Blacksher School ranks 384^th of 686 Alabama alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is J U Blacksher School in?

Monroe County

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Latest Alabama data All new data »

2025–26 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 27, 2025

2024–25 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2025

2021–22 through 2023–24 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 2, 2024

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.