Morris Elementary School

Morris Elementary School is a K-5 school in Montgomery, AL, serving 414 students in a high-poverty area, with over 90% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The school is part of the Montgomery County district and currently ranks in the bottom 8% of Alabama elementary schools, a decline from the previous year.

Academically, Morris Elementary faces significant challenges. Math proficiency rates are well below district and state averages across all grade levels—for example, only 7.5% of 3rd graders are proficient in math compared to 44.9% statewide. English scores are stronger but still lag behind, with 5th graders achieving 43.4% proficiency versus 69.5% statewide. One bright spot is 4th-grade science, where 34% of students are proficient, slightly exceeding the district average. However, test scores fluctuate dramatically from year to year, making it difficult to identify clear trends. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, with 26.5% of students missing significant school days—more than double the state average of 12%.

What makes Morris Elementary's situation particularly striking is the contrast with nearby schools. Within just a couple of miles, Forest Avenue Elementary School ranks #1 in the state, and Bear Exploration Center ranks #24, with chronic absenteeism below 4% and proficiency rates often exceeding 90%. Meanwhile, Carver Elementary School, which serves a similar demographic with a 63% free/reduced lunch rate, achieves far better results with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 10%. This disparity suggests that while poverty is a factor, school-level strategies around attendance and instruction can make a meaningful difference. For parents considering Morris Elementary, understanding the attendance challenges and exploring what supports the school offers for consistent student engagement would be important first steps.