Summary:
Zip code 35127 in Pleasant Grove, Alabama, is served by a single elementary school, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, which enrolls 524 students in grades PK through 5 within the Jefferson County school district.
For parents considering this school, the most urgent concern is mathematics. Proficiency rates are critically low across all grades, with only 7% to 15% of students meeting grade-level standards in the most recent school year—a gap of roughly 30 percentage points below the state average. For example, just 7.06% of 5th graders are proficient in math, meaning fewer than 1 in 14 students are on track. The school also faces challenges with chronic absenteeism (17.7% vs. 12% statewide) and serves a predominantly low-income population, with 64% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. On a more positive note, English/Language Arts performance is considerably stronger, with 3rd and 5th grade proficiency rates near 50% and 56%, respectively, though 4th grade dips sharply to 32.56%. The school’s overall state ranking has slipped from the 16th percentile to the 12th percentile over three years, indicating that while absolute scores are improving, other Alabama schools are advancing faster.
There is reason for cautious optimism. Math proficiency has improved year-over-year in every grade level, suggesting recent interventions may be gaining traction. The student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 is reasonable, and per-student spending of $8,020 is modest but not exceptionally low. Parents should be aware that the school’s relative strength in English, combined with steady math gains, points to a school that is working to address its challenges. However, the dramatic math deficit and high absenteeism rate are red flags that warrant close attention and likely require supplemental support at home. For families prioritizing strong math instruction, this school may not currently meet that need, though the upward trend is encouraging.
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