Robert C Hatch High School

Robert C Hatch High School in Uniontown, AL, is a public school in the Perry County district serving 402 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, where nearly 88% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school presents a mixed picture depending on the grade level. In early elementary grades, students perform reasonably well—for example, 42% of 3rd graders are proficient in English and 48% of 4th graders are proficient in Science, close to state averages. However, there is a dramatic decline as students get older. By 11th grade, proficiency rates drop to 0% in both Math and English, and just 2.56% in Science—a trend that has persisted for several years. This "fade-out" effect suggests the middle school transition around 6th grade is a critical point where students begin to fall behind significantly. Chronic absenteeism is also a major concern at 28.6%, more than double the state average, though it has improved substantially from 44.2% just two years ago. Interestingly, despite these low test scores, the school maintains a graduation rate between 86% and 97%, which raises questions about whether students are being adequately prepared for life after high school.

For comparison, Breakthrough Charter School, located about 17 miles away, serves a similar demographic but achieves better outcomes—its 11th graders score 4.55% in Math and 10% in English, and its 7th graders reach 53.57% proficiency in English compared to just 21.43% at Robert C Hatch. Meanwhile, Amelia L Johnson High School in Marengo County has a chronic absenteeism rate of only 10.1%, showing that high-poverty schools can overcome attendance challenges. The school spends about $11,263 per student, less than some nearby alternatives. While the challenges are significant, the early elementary success and improving attendance suggest that targeted interventions, especially around the middle school years, could make a meaningful difference for students at Robert C Hatch.