Carbon Hill ElementaryJunior High School

Carbon Hill Elementary Junior High School serves 475 students from Pre-K through 8th grade in the small town of Carbon Hill, Alabama, operating within the Walker County school district.

This school is on a clear upward trajectory, climbing from a 1-star rating to a consistent 3-star status over the past decade. The most impressive gains are with students facing economic disadvantages—nearly 60% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch, yet this group now performs in the 70th percentile statewide, a remarkable achievement. Female students have also shown dramatic improvement, jumping 24 percentage points in just two years. The school's 4th grade science program is exceptional, with 79% proficiency compared to just 50% statewide. Additionally, chronic absenteeism has plummeted from 27% to 10.5%, now better than both district and state averages, suggesting a more engaging and welcoming school culture. English Language Arts is a clear strength, with 4th graders hitting 82.5% proficiency versus 59.5% statewide.

However, math remains a significant challenge, particularly in upper grades where only about 20% of 7th and 8th graders are proficient. This gap is especially noticeable when compared to Lupton Junior High School, just 5.5 miles away, where 7th grade math proficiency is more than double Carbon Hill's rate. That said, Carbon Hill has a major advantage in attendance—Lupton's chronic absenteeism is a concerning 23.7%. The school also achieves strong results with fewer resources than peers like Parrish Elementary Middle School, which spends 63% more per student yet produces comparable outcomes. While Winfield Elementary School remains the area's top performer, Carbon Hill's steady improvement and efficient use of resources suggest a school that is making the most of what it has—and building momentum for continued growth.