Schools in Zip Code 35128

Zip code 35128, encompassing the Pell City area of Alabama, is served by two schools within the highly-rated Pell City district (ranked 38th out of 139 districts in the state): Walter M Kennedy School (elementary, grades K-4) and Williams Intermediate School (grades 4-7), with a combined enrollment of 1,035 students and no high school options within the zip code.

Walter M Kennedy School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 81st percentile statewide. It dramatically outperforms state averages in nearly every subject, with 3rd-grade math proficiency at 66.67% (vs. 44.89% statewide) and 3rd-grade English at 79.1% (vs. 64.75% statewide). The school also boasts an impressively low chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.0%, half the state average, and spends more per student ($9,103) than its counterpart. In contrast, Williams Intermediate School presents a more mixed picture. While 5th-grade English proficiency is strong at 69.13%, 5th-grade math proficiency has plummeted to just 24.44%—nearly 15 points below the state average and a dramatic drop from the previous year. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 11.0% is nearly double that of Kennedy, and it spends less per student ($7,959).

The most striking finding is the apparent "middle school dip" in math: students leaving Kennedy with 4th-grade math proficiency of 56.98% arrive at Williams and see 5th-grade scores fall to 24.44%, suggesting a significant transition challenge. English proficiency remains a consistent strength across both schools, while math is the clear weak point, especially at Williams. The district's overall high ranking is heavily driven by Kennedy's exceptional performance, masking the struggles at the intermediate level. For parents, this data suggests that while the elementary years are exceptionally strong, the transition to intermediate school—particularly in math—requires careful attention and may warrant proactive support. The stark difference in absenteeism between the two schools also highlights a potential area for intervention at Williams.