Fitzpatrick Elementary School

Fitzpatrick Elementary School serves approximately 385 students in grades K-5 in Montgomery, AL, as part of the Montgomery County school district, where 90% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Fitzpatrick currently holds a 0-star rating and ranks in the bottom 5% of Alabama elementary schools. The most significant challenge is chronic absenteeism, which affects 28.3% of students—more than double the state average of 12%. This directly impacts academic performance, with proficiency rates trailing state averages by 30-44 percentage points in English and 20-25 points in math. For example, only 15.79% of 4th graders are proficient in English compared to 59.53% statewide. The school also spends $10,000 per student, which is actually higher than nearby better-performing schools like Bear Exploration Center ($8,121), suggesting resources alone aren't the issue. A particularly concerning trend is the collapse in special education outcomes, which have fallen from the 26th percentile to the bottom 1% of schools over the past several years.

There are some bright spots worth noting. Third-grade math proficiency has improved 77% over four years, rising from 14.55% to 25.76%. However, these gains don't hold as students advance—4th and 5th grade scores remain stubbornly low. The school also serves male students less effectively than female students, with boys ranking in the 4th percentile compared to girls at the 8th percentile. Nearby Crump Elementary School, just 1.5 miles away, serves a similar demographic but has a chronic absenteeism rate of only 12.8% and higher math proficiency, proving improvement is possible. Meanwhile, Bear Exploration Center, just 3 miles away, achieves 5-star ratings with 95-98% English proficiency. The path forward for Fitzpatrick will require tackling absenteeism head-on and ensuring early-grade interventions are sustained through later years.