Summary:
Zip code 35094, serving the Leeds, AL area, is home to two elementary schools within the Leeds City district, which together form a single educational pathway for roughly 1,195 students from Pre-K through 5th grade.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that this is a district on the rise, with Leeds Elementary School (grades 2-5) showing dramatic academic improvements. The school jumped 81 positions in state rankings, moving from the 47th to the 60th percentile, with standout gains in 4th grade math (from 25% to 49% proficiency) and science (from 32% to 55% proficiency). English Language Arts is a clear strength, with 3rd and 4th graders outperforming state averages by 8 and 5 percentage points, respectively. However, a notable "dipping point" occurs in 5th grade, where both math and English scores fall below state averages, suggesting a potential area for targeted support. Meanwhile, Leeds Primary School (grades PK-1) serves as the foundational feeder school, offering a more favorable student-teacher ratio (16.1:1) compared to Leeds Elementary's 22.6:1, and serving a student population with a lower free/reduced lunch rate (36.75% vs. 48.97%).
Despite the positive academic trajectory, both schools share a district-wide challenge: chronic absenteeism. At approximately 15.5-15.8%, both schools exceed the state average of 12.0%, which represents a significant opportunity for improvement. While per-student spending is nearly identical between the two schools (around $9,600), the disparity in class sizes and socioeconomic composition between the primary and elementary campuses are important factors to consider. Overall, the district's upward momentum and strong English instruction are promising, but addressing 5th grade performance, attendance, and the higher class sizes at the upper elementary level will be key to sustaining this positive trend.
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