Summary:
Zip code 35466 in Gordo, Alabama, is served by two public schools within the Pickens County district, which together educate 1,018 students in grades PK-12. The area is predominantly rural, and both schools serve a majority low-income student population, with over half of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Gordo Elementary School (PK-6) is the clear standout in this area, consistently outperforming both district and state averages in English Language Arts across all grade levels, with 3rd and 5th graders scoring 15 and 13 points above the state average, respectively. The school also excels in 4th grade science, beating the state by 11 points, and maintains an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.0%—less than half the state average. In contrast, Gordo High School (7-12) struggles more academically, particularly in math, where 8th grade proficiency sits at just 10.47% compared to the state's 26.36%. However, the high school shows positive momentum, improving its ranking from the 24th to 40th percentile over two years, and boasts a 92% graduation rate that exceeds the state average.
The most striking finding is the dramatic academic drop-off between the two schools. While 6th graders at the elementary school achieve 43.59% math proficiency, 7th graders at the high school fall to 22.06%, and 8th graders plummet to 10.47%—suggesting a difficult transition period. Additionally, 5th grade math at the elementary school is a notable anomaly at just 21.33% proficiency, a 17-point gap from the state average that persisted from the prior year. Overall, this district shows a clear pattern: strong literacy instruction, weak math performance, and mixed science results. The elementary school is a hidden gem within a 1-star district, while the high school, despite current challenges, is showing signs of improvement that parents may find encouraging.
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