Schools in Zip Code 35033

Zip code 35033, serving the Bremen area of Alabama, is home to 2 schools within the Cullman County district: Cold Springs Elementary School (grades PK-8) and Cold Springs High School (grades 9-12), together serving 735 students in a small, tight-knit community.

Both schools are strong performers, but Cold Springs High School stands out as the rising star. It ranks 73rd out of 380 high schools in Alabama (81st percentile) and has improved its ranking for three consecutive years, from 102nd to 73rd. The high school boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate, far exceeding the district (96.9%) and state (91.5%) averages. At the 11th-grade level, it outperforms the district by wide margins in math (+11.1 points), English (+8.6 points), and science (+4.0 points). Meanwhile, Cold Springs Elementary School ranks 200th out of 686 elementary schools (71st percentile) and maintains consistent 4-star ratings. Its third-grade English proficiency is exceptional at 86.4%, more than 20 points above the state average, and all elementary grades exceed state averages in English.

Attendance is a clear strength: chronic absenteeism is just 5.6% at the elementary and 6.5% at the high school, roughly half the state average of 12.0%. Student-teacher ratios are low (under 18:1), and about 40% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, indicating moderate socioeconomic need. One notable finding is the "middle school dip" in math proficiency, which declines from 45.8% in 3rd grade to 33.3% in 8th grade, though still above state benchmarks. The high school spends $12,424 per student versus $7,344 at the elementary level, a significant disparity common in smaller high schools. While the 100% graduation rate is outstanding, 11th-grade proficiency rates (38-41%) suggest room for growth in college and career readiness. Overall, this is a high-performing, cohesive school community that punches above its weight in Alabama education.