Best Public Schools in Zip Code 35442

Zip code 35442 in Aliceville, Alabama, is served by two public schools within the Pickens County district, together educating roughly 753 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a predominantly low-income area where 82-88% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Aliceville Elementary School (PK-6, 415 students) is the stronger of the two schools and shows a promising upward trajectory, climbing from the 15th to the 24th percentile in state rankings over the past two years. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 7.1% is remarkably low—nearly half the district average—and its English proficiency is its clear strength, with 4th grade English (53.57%) nearly matching the state average. However, math remains a significant weakness, with only 8.06% of 3rd graders and 9.43% of 5th graders proficient. In contrast, Aliceville High School (7-12, 338 students) has experienced a dramatic decline, falling from the 32nd to the 5th percentile in state rankings over two years. The high school graduates 91.8% of its students—above the state average—yet faces a critical crisis: zero percent of 11th graders scored proficient in math, and chronic absenteeism (17.7%) is nearly 2.5 times higher than the elementary school's rate.

The contrast between the two schools is stark. The elementary school is improving with manageable class sizes (18.8:1), while the high school struggles with a 26.8:1 student-teacher ratio and spends nearly 50% more per student ($14,223 vs. $9,516) with far worse outcomes. Test scores show extreme volatility year-to-year, particularly in 3rd grade math which collapsed from 31.75% to 8.06% proficiency. The most urgent concerns are the high school's declining rankings, its zero math proficiency among juniors, and the sharp rise in absenteeism between elementary and secondary levels. While economic disadvantage provides important context, the elementary school's success with a similar demographic proves improvement is possible. Parents should note that the elementary school offers a solid foundation, but the transition to middle and high school presents significant academic challenges that require immediate attention.