Summary:
Zip code 35148, serving the Sumiton, AL area, contains two schools within the Walker County district, which together educate 1,196 students in grades PK-8, with no high school located in the immediate area.
For parents, the most important story here is the dramatic difference between the two schools. Sumiton Elementary School is a clear standout, earning a 3-star rating and performing at or above state averages in several key areas. Its 3rd-grade math proficiency (50.68%) and 4th-grade science proficiency (60.17%) both exceed state averages, showing that foundational skills are being taught effectively. In contrast, Sumiton Middle School is a major concern, holding a 1-star rating with performance far below state averages. The decline is most severe in math, where 8th-grade proficiency sits at just 4.67% compared to the state's 26.36%. English proficiency also drops from 60.19% in 5th grade to 37.38% in 8th grade, painting a picture of students falling further behind each year.
Interestingly, both schools share a positive trait: remarkably low chronic absenteeism rates (around 5.5%), which are less than half the district and state averages. This suggests students are showing up, but the middle school's academic struggles point to issues with instruction or curriculum rather than attendance. The elementary school also benefits from a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, while the middle school's ratio is higher at 19.8:1. With both schools serving a predominantly low-income population (over 62% eligible for free or reduced lunch), the elementary school's success demonstrates that poverty does not preclude academic achievement. The stark contrast between these two schools within the same district suggests that school-specific leadership and culture at Sumiton Middle School should be the primary focus for improvement efforts.
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