Oakman Elementary School

Oakman Elementary School is a small, rural school in Oakman, AL, serving 356 students in grades PK through 4 within the Walker County school district, where a majority of students (55.9%) qualify for free or reduced lunch.

One of the most impressive things about Oakman Elementary is how well it supports its special education students. The school ranks in the 75th percentile statewide for the academic performance of these students, earning a 4-star rating—a remarkable achievement that stands out when compared to its overall state ranking (45th percentile). This suggests that the school has highly effective, targeted support systems in place. Another standout feature is the school's incredibly low chronic absenteeism rate of just 1.9% for the 2024-2025 school year. That's dramatically lower than the district (11.0%) and state (12.0%) averages, and it's among the lowest of all nearby schools, including Parrish ElementaryMiddle School (1.8%). This points to a highly engaged student body and strong community ties, creating a stable and consistent learning environment.

Academically, Oakman shows a clear pattern of growth between 3rd and 4th grade. While 3rd-grade math proficiency is a concern (29.79% vs. 44.89% statewide), the school makes a dramatic leap by 4th grade, reaching 52.38% proficiency—significantly outperforming both the district (44.33%) and the state (42.07%). This positive trajectory is not seen in nearby schools like Curry Elementary School (34.62%) or Valley Junior High School (42.86%). However, 3rd-grade English proficiency (57.45%) lags behind the district (68.48%) and state (64.75%) averages, suggesting an area for targeted intervention in the early grades. Overall, Oakman Elementary excels at creating a supportive environment for its most vulnerable students, and the significant academic growth seen between 3rd and 4th grade is a promising sign that the school's foundation is solid.