Summary:
Zip code 35031 in Blountsville, Alabama, is home to two high schools—JB Pennington High School and Susan Moore High School—both serving grades 7-12 within the Blount County school district, which ranks in the 68th percentile statewide.
These two schools offer contrasting profiles. JB Pennington High School (507 students) has historically been the higher achiever, reaching an elite 66th place in state rankings in 2023-2024, though it has since slipped. It posts a 93.2% graduation rate and 4.0% chronic absenteeism—both better than state averages. However, its current math and English proficiency rates lag the state, with only 16.18% of 11th graders proficient in math and 19.70% in English. Meanwhile, Susan Moore High School (440 students) is the comeback story, jumping from 296th to 180th in state rankings in just two years. It now boasts a 97.4% graduation rate, a remarkably low 2.5% chronic absenteeism, and 11th grade science proficiency of 42.03%—exceeding the state average. Its 11th grade math (20.29%) also edges out JB Pennington, though both schools struggle in English (around 19-20% proficiency).
For parents, the key takeaway is that both schools excel at keeping students engaged and on track to graduate, despite serving economically disadvantaged populations (55-64% free/reduced lunch). The most pressing concern is math in grades 7-8, where proficiency is critically low—Susan Moore's 7th grade math sits at just 6.1%. However, Susan Moore's dramatic one-year improvements in science and English suggest effective strategies are emerging, while JB Pennington has proven it can reach top-tier performance. With strong attendance, high graduation rates, and improving science scores, both schools offer solid foundations, though Susan Moore's rapid ascent and lower student-teacher ratio (17.8:1 vs. 19.8:1) make it the one to watch.
Thank you for your feedback!