Summary:
Zip code 35214 in Birmingham, Alabama is home to two elementary schools—South Hampton K8 and Legacy Prep—serving a combined 828 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, in a community where roughly 78% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
These two schools serve nearly identical student populations but produce very different results. South Hampton K8 is the clear standout, ranking in the 29th percentile statewide and outperforming its Birmingham City district, which ranks in the bottom 15% of Alabama districts. The school’s 3rd grade performance is exceptional—71.74% proficiency in math and 89.13% in English, both far exceeding state averages. However, this early success drops sharply by 4th grade, with math proficiency falling to just 12.24%. By 7th grade, math rebounds to 28.33%, nearly triple the district rate. In contrast, Legacy Prep ranks in the 12th percentile and struggles significantly, with only 10.11% of 3rd graders proficient in math and 35.96% in English. Legacy Prep also faces a chronic absenteeism rate of 20.4%—nearly double the state average—while South Hampton’s rate is 11.2%, right at the state norm.
For parents, the key takeaway is that South Hampton K8 offers a strong early-grade foundation, particularly in 3rd grade, but families should be aware of the significant drop-off in upper elementary grades. Legacy Prep provides only 3rd grade test data, making it harder to evaluate, but its low proficiency and high absenteeism suggest deeper challenges. Both schools have similar poverty levels, yet South Hampton’s results show that school-level factors can make a meaningful difference. Parents may want to visit both schools, ask about curriculum alignment between grades, and inquire about attendance support programs, especially at Legacy Prep.
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