Schools in Zip Code 35143

Zip code 35143 in Shelby, Alabama, is home to a single school, Shelby Elementary School, which serves grades PK-5 with an enrollment of 242 students in the Shelby County district.

Shelby Elementary is a standout performer, consistently exceeding both district and state averages across nearly every subject and grade level. The school's academic strengths are particularly evident in English Language Arts, where 5th graders achieved an 88.89% proficiency rate—nearly 20 points above the state average. Mathematics is also a major highlight, with 5th grade math proficiency at 72.22%, a remarkable 33-point advantage over the state average. The school has shown exceptional year-over-year growth, with 3rd grade math jumping 16.5 points and 4th grade science improving by 21.4 points. This progress has propelled the school's state ranking from 142nd to 78th in just two years, placing it in the top 12% of Alabama elementary schools. This strong performance is especially notable given that 58.68% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, yet the school outperforms more affluent schools in its district.

While academics are clearly a strength, chronic absenteeism is a concern, with a rate of 15.4% compared to the state average of 12.0%. The school maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 and invests $17,161 per student, providing solid resources for continued success. Science scores showed the most volatility, swinging from 50% to 71.43% in one year, which may indicate smaller sample sizes or less consistent instruction in that subject. Overall, Shelby Elementary is a high-performing, rapidly improving rural school with exceptional literacy programs and standout math achievement, though addressing attendance issues and maintaining momentum in math and science will be key to sustaining its upward trajectory.