Summary:
Zip code 35044, serving the Childersburg area of Alabama, is home to two elementary schools within the Talladega County district, both educating students in grades PK-5 with similar enrollments of roughly 280 students each.
For parents comparing the two, AH Watwood Elementary School is the stronger overall performer, consistently ranking higher and earning a 3-star rating across all three years of data. Its 4th-grade science proficiency (60%) is exceptional, far exceeding the state average, and it also posts a lower chronic absenteeism rate (8.5%) than its counterpart. However, Childersburg Elementary School is showing remarkable momentum, improving its state ranking by 95 positions over three years and achieving its first 3-star rating in 2025-2026. While it still trails AH Watwood, the gap between the two schools has narrowed significantly from 100 ranking positions to just 34. Both schools share a clear strength in English Language Arts, with proficiency rates that consistently beat state averages across most grade levels—Childersburg's 3rd graders hit an impressive 84.62% proficiency. Mathematics performance is more volatile at both schools, with significant swings between grade levels and years, suggesting potential curriculum alignment challenges. Despite nearly 70% of students at each school qualifying for free/reduced lunch, chronic absenteeism remains at or below the state average, and both schools demonstrate that strong literacy outcomes are achievable in high-poverty settings. Notably, Childersburg spends about $600 more per student than AH Watwood, yet achieves lower overall results, raising questions about resource allocation efficiency even as its recent improvements suggest those investments may be starting to pay off.
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