Charles Henderson Middle

Charles Henderson Middle in Troy, AL, serves 263 students in grades 7 and 8 within the Troy City district, a school that has shown remarkable improvement over the past decade.

This school is a true turnaround story. A decade ago, it was rated as a 1-star school, but today it holds a solid 4-star rating, climbing from the 30th to the 70th percentile in statewide rankings. The school's greatest strengths lie in English and science, where students consistently outperform state averages—8th-grade science proficiency jumped to 57% in the latest year, well above the state norm. However, math remains a persistent challenge, with only about 28% of students proficient in both grades. The school also shows a notable gender gap: boys have consistently ranked in the 69th–77th percentile over recent years, while girls' performance has been more volatile, dipping to the 47th percentile before rebounding. Additionally, support for special education students has declined sharply, falling from the 83rd to the 34th percentile over the past three years—a trend that warrants immediate attention.

For parents, the most pressing concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 16.9%—significantly higher than the state average of 12%. This issue likely contributes to the school's struggles in math and with its economically disadvantaged students, who make up nearly 70% of the student body. While the school performs above average for this group, there remains a gap compared to its overall success. There are no other schools within 20 miles for direct comparison, but Charles Henderson Middle clearly outperforms the state in key subjects. If your child needs strong humanities and science instruction, this school delivers. If math support or consistent attendance is a priority, you'll want to ask the school about their intervention strategies and how they plan to address these challenges moving forward.