Summary:
Zip code 35124 in Pelham, Alabama, is served by five public schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one alternative learning center—that together enroll 3,522 students across the Pelham City and Shelby County districts.
Pelham High School is the standout performer, ranking 59th in Alabama (up from 82nd last year) with a 95.8% graduation rate and proficiency scores well above state averages in math, English, and science. Its math proficiency jumped nearly 13 points year-over-year. The elementary schools show strong literacy skills, with Pelham Ridge posting 79.26% English proficiency in 5th grade and just 4% chronic absenteeism—the best attendance in the district. Pelham Oaks also exceeds state English averages but trails Pelham Ridge slightly in overall rankings. Pelham Park Middle School shows a concerning decline in math proficiency from 30.33% in 6th grade to just 14.62% in 8th grade—a 52% drop that places 8th graders nearly 12 points below the state average. English performance at the middle school remains strong across all grades.
The most notable outlier is Linda Nolen Learning Center, an alternative school spending $129,631 per student (12 times more than other area schools) with a 5.2:1 student-teacher ratio, yet facing 44.6% chronic absenteeism. Across the district, chronic absenteeism is well-managed at most schools, and the Pelham City district earns a consistent 4-star rating. For parents, this area offers a high-performing high school, excellent elementary literacy programs, and a clear challenge in middle school math that families may want to monitor closely.
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