Summary:
Zip code 35124 in Pelham, Alabama, is served by two elementary schools—Pelham Ridge and Pelham Oaks—both part of the Pelham City district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 70th percentile statewide. These PK-5 schools enroll roughly 750-780 students each and serve a moderately diverse economic population, with 48-54% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Attendance is a standout strength: chronic absenteeism sits at just 4.0% at Pelham Ridge and 5.3% at Pelham Oaks, far better than the 12.0% state average.
When comparing the two, Pelham Ridge currently holds the edge in overall state ranking (284th vs. 311th), shows more stable year-over-year performance, and is more cost-efficient at $9,196 per student versus $10,228 at Pelham Oaks. Pelham Ridge also posted a dramatic 15-point jump in 4th grade science proficiency (from 42.96% to 58.06%), while Pelham Oaks remained flat. However, Pelham Oaks outperformed Pelham Ridge in 4th grade math (50.39% vs. 39.26%) and science (54.26% vs. 42.96%) in the prior year, though its state ranking has declined sharply from 207th to 311th over three years.
Both schools excel in English, with 5th grade proficiency rates of 79.26% at Pelham Ridge and 76.38% at Pelham Oaks—well above the state's 69.53%. Mathematics is the clear weak spot: 5th grade math proficiency hovers around 34-35% at both schools, below the state average of 39.06%, and scores show significant year-to-year volatility. Student-teacher ratios are nearly identical (15.6:1 and 15.7:1). For parents, this area offers strong literacy instruction, excellent attendance, and a solid district reputation, but math achievement and declining rankings warrant attention—especially at Pelham Oaks, which spends more per student yet lags in overall performance.
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