Parrish ElementaryMiddle School

Parrish ElementaryMiddle School in Parrish, AL, is a small Pre-K through 8th grade school in the Walker County district, serving 288 students in a close-knit community setting.

This school has some remarkable strengths that stand out. Most notably, chronic absenteeism is nearly nonexistent—only 1.8% of students are chronically absent, compared to 11% district-wide and 12% statewide. That's a 92% improvement over just three years, and it means your child will be in a classroom with consistent attendance and a stable learning environment. The school also excels at supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, ranking in the 70th percentile statewide for this group despite over 60% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The elementary grades are particularly strong, with 3rd grade math proficiency at 57.58% (well above the state's 44.89%) and 5th grade English at 72.73%. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $15,603 per student—64% more than nearby West Jefferson Elementary School—and maintains a favorable 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio.

However, there is one significant challenge parents should know about: middle school math. While 3rd graders shine, 7th grade math proficiency drops to just 4.35%—far below the state average of 24.46%. This is a dramatic decline that doesn't appear in English, where 7th graders still reach 39.13% proficiency. The contrast with Lupton Junior High School, just 15 miles away, is telling: Lupton's 7th graders achieve 42.86% math proficiency. This suggests the middle school math struggles are addressable, not inevitable. There's also a notable gender gap, with female students ranking in the 77th percentile statewide while males rank in the 42nd. Overall, Parrish has climbed from the 39th to the 61st percentile over the past decade, and with its strong attendance and elementary foundation, it's a school on the rise—just one that needs targeted support in middle school math.