Thomasville Middle School

Thomasville Middle School in Thomasville, AL, serves 281 students in grades 5-8 and is part of the Thomasville City district. The school has earned a 4-star rating and ranks in the 82nd percentile statewide, a remarkable climb from just the 46th percentile five years ago.

This school stands out for its consistent and dramatic academic growth, especially in mathematics. For example, 7th grade math proficiency more than doubled in two years, jumping from 22% to nearly 57%—more than double the state average. English Language Arts has also been a steady strength, with proficiency rates in every grade exceeding state averages. Perhaps most impressive is the school's success with students who are economically disadvantaged (64% of the student body) and with African American students, who rank in the 90th percentile statewide. The school also keeps chronic absenteeism (10.6%) below both district and state averages, which is notable given the challenges many families face. When compared to nearby Wilson Hall Middle School in the Clarke County district—which serves a similar student population—Thomasville outperforms it dramatically in every subject and grade level, with gaps as wide as 39 percentage points in 6th grade math.

The one area that needs attention is special education, where the school currently ranks in the 22nd percentile. However, given the school's proven ability to lift other student groups, this appears to be a solvable challenge. The overall picture is of a school that has found effective, equitable teaching strategies and is delivering strong results for its students. The key question now is whether the school can sustain this momentum and extend its success to all learners.