Summary:
Zip code 35218 in Birmingham, Alabama, is served by a single elementary school, Minor Elementary School, which educates students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade within the Birmingham City district.
For parents considering this area, Minor Elementary School is the sole educational option, enrolling 441 students. The school serves a predominantly low-income population, with 80.27% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Academically, the school shows a mixed picture. Mathematics proficiency improved significantly across all grades from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, with 3rd grade more than doubling from 12.82% to 27.14%. However, math scores remain well below state averages, and proficiency tends to decline as grade level increases. English proficiency is comparatively stronger, with 5th grade reaching 48.05% in 2025-2026, though 4th grade saw a concerning 9-point drop to 31.25%. Science remains the weakest subject, with only 15% of 4th graders proficient, less than one-third of the state average. The school's overall ranking improved from the 6th percentile (0 stars) in 2024-2025 to the 10th percentile (1 star) in 2025-2026, indicating a positive trajectory despite ongoing challenges.
Chronic absenteeism is a notable concern, affecting 17.0% of students compared to 13.1% for the district and 12.0% statewide. Per-student spending is $12,293, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1. While the school invests significant resources, outcomes still lag state averages—for example, the 5th-grade English gap is 21.48 points, and the 4th-grade science gap is 35.23 points. The substantial improvement in 3rd-grade math suggests targeted interventions may be gaining traction, but the persistent achievement gaps, particularly in science and upper-grade math, highlight areas needing continued focus. Parents should weigh the school's improving math trends and relatively stable English performance against the high absenteeism and significant gaps in science proficiency.
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