Schools in Zip Code 35463

Zip code 35463, located in the rural community of Fosters, AL, is served by a single elementary school, Myrtlewood Elementary School, which enrolls 280 students in grades PK through 4 and is part of the Tuscaloosa County school district.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that Myrtlewood is a small school with a strong focus on literacy. In the 2025-2026 school year, the school significantly outperformed both its district and the state in English Language Arts, with 67.35% of 3rd graders and 69.23% of 4th graders scoring proficient, compared to state averages of 64.75% and 59.53%, respectively. This strength in reading is a clear highlight. However, math and science scores are more moderate. While 4th-grade math proficiency (40.38%) is close to the state average (42.07%), 3rd-grade math (38.78%) actually surpasses the district average (29.37%) but trails the state (44.89%). Science proficiency (42.31%) is on par with the district but below the state average. The school also boasts a very low chronic absenteeism rate of 8.5%, well below the district (11.8%) and state (12.0%) averages, which suggests students are consistently in class and ready to learn. With a favorable 14:1 student-teacher ratio, children are likely to receive more individualized attention.

One interesting trend is the school's improvement in 3rd-grade math, which jumped from 30.95% proficiency in 2024-2025 to 38.78% in 2025-2026, indicating a possible successful intervention. Despite the Tuscaloosa County district ranking in the bottom half of Alabama, Myrtlewood consistently beats district averages in nearly every subject, making it a relative bright spot. The school maintains a 3-star rating, though its state ranking has slipped from the 68th to the 51st percentile. About 46% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic diversity. Overall, Myrtlewood is an excellent choice for parents prioritizing early literacy and a supportive, engaged school environment, with math and science being areas for continued growth.