Summary:
Zip code 35051, encompassing Columbiana, Alabama, is served by a single elementary school, Elvin Hill Elementary School, which educates students in grades K-5 within the highly regarded Shelby County school district.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that Elvin Hill Elementary is a school with notable strengths and significant challenges. The school serves a predominantly low-income student population, with 67% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and its overall state ranking is in the 39th percentile—a stark contrast to its district, which ranks in the 79th percentile statewide. Academically, the school shows a dramatic "grade slide" in mathematics: proficiency drops from 46.6% in 3rd grade to 31.9% in 4th grade and just 24.8% in 5th grade, creating a widening gap compared to district averages. English performance is comparatively stronger, with 3rd-grade proficiency at 63.6%, nearly matching the state average. However, year-over-year data reveals concerning declines in upper-grade math (4th and 5th grades dropped by 5.2 and 6.3 points, respectively), while chronic absenteeism at 10.7% is actually better than both district and state averages.
The "district paradox" is a key insight: despite being part of a top-tier district, Elvin Hill Elementary underperforms relative to its peers, likely due to the higher poverty levels it serves. With per-student spending of $10,660 and a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio, the school appears adequately funded, yet outcomes lag. This suggests a need for targeted math interventions, professional development for upper-grade teachers, and additional support for economically disadvantaged students. The school's strong attendance and relatively solid early English scores provide a foundation, but without urgent attention to the math achievement slide, the school risks falling further behind both district and state averages.
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