Summary:
Zip code 35550 in Cordova, Alabama, is served by a single middle school, Bankhead Middle School, which enrolls 298 students in grades 5 through 8 as part of the Walker County school district.
Bankhead Middle School is a standout performer, ranking 63rd out of 443 middle schools in Alabama (86th percentile, 4 stars) for the 2025-2026 school year. This represents a significant upward trajectory, as the school has improved its state ranking for three consecutive years, jumping from the 72nd percentile in 2023-2024. The school's greatest academic strength is English Language Arts, where it consistently outperforms both the district and state averages across all grade levels. In the most recent school year, 8th-grade science proficiency was particularly impressive at 75.44%, a remarkable 21-point lead over the state average and a dramatic improvement from 38.71% the previous year. The school also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.3%, less than half the district rate of 11.0% and the state rate of 12.0%, which likely contributes to its academic success.
However, the data reveals some areas for attention. Math proficiency is notably inconsistent across grade levels, with 5th-grade math at just 17.65% proficiency compared to the state average of 39.06%, while 6th-grade math reaches 56.16%—well above the state's 35.22%. This "roller coaster" pattern suggests potential differences in curriculum alignment or teaching effectiveness between grade levels. The school serves a student body where 44.3% qualify for free or reduced lunch, yet it still outperforms its district in nearly every subject, indicating effective support for students facing socioeconomic challenges. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 and per-student spending of $9,419, Bankhead Middle School demonstrates that strong attendance and targeted academic initiatives can yield impressive results, making it a rising star in Alabama's middle school landscape.
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