Schools in Zip Code 35222

Zip code 35222 in Birmingham, Alabama, is served by two public schools—Hayes K8 (PK-8) and Avondale Elementary School (PK-5)—both part of the Birmingham City district, which ranks in the bottom 14% of Alabama districts.

For parents, the standout choice is Avondale Elementary. It has climbed from the 17th to the 41st percentile statewide in just two years, and it outperforms Hayes K8 in nearly every subject and grade. In 2025-2026, Avondale’s 3rd grade math proficiency was 44.8% versus 18.1% at Hayes K8, and its 3rd grade English proficiency hit 67.2% compared to 25.0% at Hayes K8. Avondale also beats district averages in most subjects and nearly matches the state average in 4th grade science (46.0% vs. 50.2%). Attendance is a major differentiator: only 10.6% of Avondale students are chronically absent, versus 30.4% at Hayes K8—a rate 2.5 times the state average. Hayes K8, ranked in the bottom 2% of Alabama schools, shows a troubling pattern where 3rd grade scores are its strongest, but proficiency drops sharply by 5th grade (math falls from 18.1% to 4.8%).

The two schools also serve different populations. At Hayes K8, 83.4% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, compared to 56.3% at Avondale, and this socioeconomic gap tracks closely with the academic and attendance divide. Per-student spending is similar ($9,683 at Hayes K8 vs. $10,435 at Avondale), suggesting funding is not the primary driver. Avondale’s rapid improvement and strong attendance indicate effective interventions, while Hayes K8’s challenges point to chronic absenteeism as the most critical lever for change. Parents in this zip code should weigh Avondale’s upward trajectory and consistent performance against Hayes K8’s deeper struggles, which will likely require comprehensive support beyond academics.