Summary:
Zip code 35234 in Birmingham, Alabama is served by a single school, Norwood Elementary School, which enrolls 261 students in grades PK-5 within the Birmingham City district.
For parents considering this area, Norwood Elementary presents a mixed picture with some very encouraging bright spots. The most notable is the exceptional 3rd grade math performance, where 75% of students scored proficient in 2025-2026—nearly three times the district average of 25.29% and well above the state average. Third grade English is also a strength at 61.54% proficiency, exceeding the district average. However, this early success does not carry through to upper grades. Proficiency drops dramatically in 4th grade, with math falling to just 15.15% and English to 14.71%, creating what appears to be a significant "3rd grade cliff." Science is the weakest subject overall, with only 5.88% of 4th graders proficient. The school also faces challenges with chronic absenteeism at 15.6%, which is higher than both district and state averages.
Despite these challenges, the school is on an upward trajectory. Its state ranking has improved from the 10th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 25th percentile in 2025-2026, showing meaningful progress over three years. The 3rd grade math proficiency jumped an impressive 27.5 percentage points in a single year, suggesting new instructional strategies may be working. With nearly 78% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a high-poverty population, yet its early-grade results demonstrate that students can achieve at high levels. The key takeaway for parents is that Norwood Elementary excels in early elementary education but needs continued focus on maintaining that momentum through 4th and 5th grades, particularly in science instruction.
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