Summary:
Zip code 35124, encompassing the city of Pelham, Alabama, is served by a single middle school option: Pelham Park Middle School, which enrolls 835 students across grades 6-8 as part of the Pelham City district.
For families in this area, Pelham Park Middle School presents a distinct academic profile: it is a literacy-strong institution with notable weaknesses in mathematics. The school excels in English Language Arts, with all grade levels scoring above state averages—7th grade leads the way at 63.31% proficiency compared to the state's 55.25%. Science performance is also a bright spot, with 8th graders achieving 58.5% proficiency versus the state's 54.12%. However, math proficiency is a serious concern, declining sharply by grade level: 6th graders hit 30.33%, 7th graders drop to 20.88%, and 8th graders fall to just 14.62%—nearly half the state average of 26.36%. This progressive decline suggests a widening learning gap that needs targeted intervention. On a positive note, the school maintains strong attendance, with chronic absenteeism at just 7.5% compared to the state's 12.0%, and serves a moderately diverse socioeconomic population with a 46.11% free/reduced lunch rate.
The school's overall state ranking has slipped over three years, from 121st (4 stars) in 2023-2024 to 179th (3 stars) in 2025-2026, even though the Pelham City district itself holds a 4-star rating. This disconnect suggests other district schools may be masking Pelham Park's relative decline. Year-over-year data also shows volatility, with 8th grade math dropping sharply from 22.26% to 14.62% while 8th grade science improved dramatically from 41.38% to 58.5%. For parents, the key takeaway is that this school offers strong reading and science instruction, but incoming students—especially those entering 7th or 8th grade—may need supplemental math support to avoid falling further behind.
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