Schools in Zip Code 35048

Zip code 35048 is served by a single public school, Clay Elementary School, which educates students in grades PK through 5 within the Jefferson County district.

Clay Elementary School is the only educational option in this area, enrolling 606 students. The school currently holds a 1-star rating, ranking 497th out of 686 schools statewide (28th percentile) and 101st out of 139 schools within its district. The most striking finding is the significant gap between subjects: English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency is relatively strong, with rates of 60.92% (3rd), 47.96% (4th), and 63.64% (5th) — close to state averages. However, Mathematics proficiency is a major concern, with rates of just 31.03% (3rd), 16.33% (4th), and 23.86% (5th). The 4th-grade math score is particularly alarming, sitting at less than half of the state average of 42.07%. Science proficiency in 4th grade is also below average at 25.51%.

The school faces notable challenges beyond academics. Over half of the student body (54.79%) qualifies for free or reduced lunch, indicating a high-poverty environment. Chronic absenteeism stands at 15.6%, which is better than the district average of 16.9% but significantly higher than the state's 12.0%. The student-teacher ratio is 16.6, and per-student spending was $8,688 (2018-2019 data). The school's ranking has declined steadily over the past three years, dropping from a 2-star rating in 2023-2024 to its current 1-star status. While there was slight improvement in 3rd-grade math from 25% to 31.03%, the 4th-grade math score dropped sharply from 25% to 16.33%, showing inconsistent progress across grade levels. For parents, this school offers solid ELA instruction but requires urgent attention in math and science, with attendance and socioeconomic factors likely playing a role in overall performance.