Summary:
There are two elementary schools serving students in zip code 35150 (Sylacauga, AL), covering grades PK-6 across two different districts: BB Comer Memorial Elementary School in Talladega County and Indian Valley Elementary School in Sylacauga City.
For parents comparing the two, BB Comer Memorial Elementary School stands out academically, though it serves a wider grade range (PK-6) and has a higher student-teacher ratio (17.9 vs. 16.4). It is the only school with test score data, and it shows strong English performance—5th graders hit 83.87% proficiency, well above the state average of 69.53%. Its state ranking improved from the 41st to the 63rd percentile over two years, and chronic absenteeism is low at 10.6%, better than the state average. However, math is a weakness, especially in 3rd grade (23.4% proficiency vs. 44.89% statewide), though 6th-grade math improved to 48%, outperforming both district and state averages. In contrast, Indian Valley Elementary School serves only PK-2, so no test scores are available. It spends more per student ($9,857 vs. $7,962) but has a concerning chronic absenteeism rate of 22.7%—more than double BB Comer's and nearly double the state average.
Both schools have similar socioeconomic profiles, with 66% of BB Comer students and 59% of Indian Valley students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The key takeaway for parents is that BB Comer offers stronger academic outcomes and better attendance, despite fewer resources, while Indian Valley's early-grade focus comes with higher spending but a significant attendance challenge that could affect foundational learning. The lack of test data for Indian Valley is due to its PK-2 span, making direct academic comparisons impossible, but the attendance gap is a clear red flag for families considering that school.
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