Schools in Zip Code 35474

Zip code 35474, serving the Moundville, Alabama area, is home to four public schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school—that together educate approximately 1,705 students across the Hale County and Tuscaloosa County districts.

The standout in this area is Hale County Middle School, which has earned a 3-star rating—the highest in the zip code—and ranks in the 59th percentile statewide despite its district's 1-star status. Its 6th grade math proficiency (55.13%) and English proficiency (61.54%) both exceed state averages, though performance drops sharply by 7th grade. Moundville Elementary School is a consistent performer, posting the zip code's best single-grade score with 75.26% proficiency in 5th grade English, and it outperforms Big Sandy Elementary in most math and English metrics despite Big Sandy having a higher-rated district and lower poverty rates. Hale County High School boasts a strong 94.6% graduation rate, exceeding both district and state averages, but struggles academically—only 5.19% of 11th graders are proficient in math, a stark contrast to the state's 27.21%.

Across all schools, English proficiency consistently outpaces math, with gaps as wide as 41 points at Moundville Elementary. Attendance is a bright spot at Big Sandy Elementary, where chronic absenteeism is just 5.4%—less than half the state average—while Hale County Middle School has the highest rate at 14.0%. Notably, Hale County Middle School achieves the strongest results while spending the least per student ($8,124), while the high school spends the most ($10,298) with the weakest academic outcomes. Year-over-year data shows significant volatility, such as Hale County Middle's 6th grade math jumping from 25% to 55.13% proficiency in one year, suggesting small cohort sizes and the need for cautious interpretation of single-year results.