Westview Elementary School

Westview Elementary School in Phenix City, AL, serves 563 students in Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the Phenix City school district. This school is in the middle of a remarkable turnaround, making it one of the most improved elementary schools in the state.

After five straight years ranking in the bottom third of Alabama schools, Westview has surged to the 53rd percentile statewide—its best ranking in over a decade. The gains are dramatic across nearly every subject and grade level. For example, 5th grade math proficiency jumped from 18% to 42% in just one year, and 4th grade science proficiency more than doubled from 24% to 47%. The school now significantly outperforms its nearby neighbor, Phenix City Elementary School, which ranks in the 20th percentile. Westview is also closing the gap with Lakewood Elementary School, the district's top performer—the gap in 3rd grade math has narrowed from 19 points to just 6 points. Chronic absenteeism has also dropped from 23% to 15%, now matching the district average.

One area that remains a challenge is 4th grade math, where only 29% of students are proficient—well below the state average of 42%. This has been a persistent weakness for several years, even as other grades have improved. The school also shows a notable gender gap, with female students ranking in the 68th percentile statewide compared to 41st for male students, though both groups are improving. Westview spends about $9,551 per student, slightly higher than most nearby schools, and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. While the school's free/reduced lunch rate has dropped sharply from 79% to 44% in three years—which could reflect economic changes in the area—the academic improvements are substantial and suggest that Westview's targeted interventions are working. For parents considering this school, the trajectory is clearly positive, and Westview is now a competitive option within the district.