Summary:
Zip code 35553, encompassing the rural community of Double Springs, Alabama, is served by a single high school, Winston County High School, which educates students in grades 8 through 12 with a total enrollment of 285.
For parents considering this area, Winston County High School presents a mixed picture of notable strengths and significant challenges. The school's most impressive statistic is its 96% graduation rate, which comfortably exceeds the state average of 91.5% and nearly matches its district's rate. However, this success is tempered by a dramatic decline in its state ranking, falling from 65th in 2023-2024 to 155th in 2025-2026. This drop appears linked to academic performance, particularly in mathematics, where proficiency rates in both 8th grade (15.69%) and 11th grade (22.5%) lag well behind state averages. The school does show a remarkable bright spot in 8th grade science, where 64.71% of students are proficient, far outpacing the state's 54.12% and representing a significant year-over-year improvement. Yet this strength does not carry into high school, as 11th grade science proficiency fell sharply to 27.5%, well below the state's 36.17%.
Beyond test scores, parents should be aware of operational concerns. Chronic absenteeism stands at 16.9%, significantly higher than the state's 12.0%, which affects roughly 48 students and may be contributing to academic struggles. The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is moderate, and per-student spending is around $10,968. With over half the student body qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a community with moderate economic challenges. While the strong graduation rate and exceptional middle school science program are encouraging, the persistent math weaknesses, declining upper-grade performance, and rising absenteeism suggest that Winston County High School would benefit from targeted interventions to reverse its downward trajectory and better support its students through all grade levels.
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