Schools in Zip Code 35049

Zip code 35049 in Cleveland, Alabama, is served by two public schools within the Blount County district, enrolling a combined 888 students across grades PK-12 in a moderate-income community where roughly 47% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Cleveland Elementary School (PK-6) is the clear academic standout, earning a 4-star rating for three consecutive years and ranking in the 88th percentile statewide. It exceeds state averages in all 18 subject comparisons, with particularly strong results in 3rd grade English (91% proficiency, 26 points above state) and 4th grade science (79.7%, nearly 30 points above state). Math proficiency ranges from 47.3% in 5th grade to 72.5% in 4th grade. In contrast, Cleveland High School (7-12) shows a dramatic math decline in middle school—dropping from 52.6% proficiency in 6th grade to just 15.5% in 8th grade—before rebounding to 34% by 11th grade. The high school excels in other areas, however, with a 97.4% graduation rate, a chronic absenteeism rate of just 0.2% (state: 12%), and 8th grade science proficiency 16 points above state average.

Both schools show strong upward momentum, with the elementary school improving from the 81st to 88th percentile and the high school from the 71st to 82nd percentile over three years. The high school spends 58% more per student ($11,225 vs. $7,118) yet achieves lower test scores, though its near-perfect attendance and strong graduation rates suggest engaged students. The elementary school maintains a better student-to-teacher ratio (15.5:1 vs. 19:1). For parents, this district offers a stable, improving educational environment where younger students thrive academically, while high school students benefit from exceptional attendance and graduation outcomes despite middle-school math challenges.