Summary:
Zip code 35446, encompassing the Buhl area of Alabama, is home to a single elementary school, Buhl Elementary School, which serves grades PK through 4 and stands out as a high-performing rural school within the Tuscaloosa County district.
For parents, Buhl Elementary School is a clear standout, consistently outperforming both its district and often the state averages across most subjects. The school’s greatest strength is English/Language Arts, where 3rd graders achieved an 80.56% proficiency rate and 4th graders reached 72.22% in the 2025-2026 school year—a remarkable 15 to 24 percentage point advantage over the district. Science is another highlight, with 4th graders posting a 69.44% proficiency rate, which is nearly 27 points above the district average and represents an impressive 18-point improvement from the previous year. While mathematics scores exceed district averages, they lag slightly behind state averages, particularly in 4th grade (37.14% vs. 42.07% state), making it the school’s most notable area for growth. The school has earned a 4-star rating in the two most recent years, with its state percentile ranking improving from the 56th to the 71st percentile over three years.
Beyond academics, Buhl Elementary School benefits from a favorable 13.5:1 student-to-teacher ratio and a small enrollment of 206 students, which likely contributes to its success. The school also boasts a very low chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.2%, roughly half the district and state averages, indicating a strong culture of attendance. With 48.06% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school’s high achievement is especially noteworthy, demonstrating that it effectively supports students regardless of socioeconomic background. While the school’s state percentile ranking dipped slightly from 73rd to 71st, this appears to reflect broader statewide improvements rather than any decline in its own performance. Overall, this is a hidden gem in rural Alabama, delivering exceptional results in a supportive, small-school environment.
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