Summary:
Zip code 35057 in Cullman, Alabama, is home to two public high schools—West Point High School and Good Hope High School—both serving grades 9-12 within the Cullman County school district, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks 57th out of 139 districts in Alabama.
For parents comparing the two schools, Good Hope High School is the clear academic standout. In the most recent school year, Good Hope ranked 66th in the state (83rd percentile, 4-star rating) after a dramatic improvement from 180th the prior year. It outperforms West Point in every subject: 37.29% proficiency in math versus 24.8%, 47.46% in science versus 30.4%, and 36.44% in English versus 20%. Good Hope also spends more per student ($10,431 vs. $9,218) and has a slightly higher graduation rate (98.1% vs. 99.2%). However, West Point High School has its own strengths—its 99.2% graduation rate tops the state average of 91.5%, and its chronic absenteeism rate (13.6%) is much better than Good Hope's (20.1%). West Point's academic performance has declined over three years, dropping from 123rd to 201st in state rankings, while its English proficiency (20%) is a particular concern, sitting nearly 14 points below the state average.
Both schools serve similar socioeconomic populations (roughly 39-41% free/reduced lunch eligibility) and have nearly identical student-teacher ratios (about 20:1). The most interesting takeaway is the inverse relationship between attendance and academics—West Point has better attendance but lower test scores, while Good Hope's academic surge came despite higher absenteeism. Both schools excel at graduating students, with rates well above the state average, suggesting strong support systems even where test proficiency lags. The dramatic year-over-year swings in rankings (Good Hope jumped 114 places in one year) indicate that single-year data should be viewed cautiously, but the overall picture is clear: Good Hope is on an upward trajectory while West Point faces challenges, particularly in English.
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