Summary:
The 35040 zip code area is home to two elementary schools - Calera Intermediate School and Calera Elementary, both part of the highly-ranked Shelby County school district. While the schools face some challenges, they have the potential to improve their performance with the right strategies and support.
Calera Intermediate School's statewide ranking has declined in recent years, dropping from 395th out of 680 Alabama elementary schools in 2023-2024 to 440th in 2024-2025. However, Calera Elementary has seen its ranking improve over time, moving from 451st out of 689 schools in 2005-2006 to 540th out of 698 in 2007-2008. Both schools have a significant portion of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting they serve communities with socioeconomic challenges that may impact student learning and achievement.
Academically, Calera Intermediate School's test scores lag behind the Shelby County and Alabama state averages across most subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2024-2025, only 40.24% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in math, compared to 53.93% in Shelby County and 45.47% statewide. While this indicates room for improvement, the schools' higher-than-average student-teacher ratios and varying per-student spending suggest opportunities to optimize resource allocation and implement effective teaching strategies to address these academic challenges.
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