Schools in Zip Code 35576

Zip code 35576 in Millport, Alabama, is served by a single school, South Lamar School, which educates students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade within the Lamar County district.

As the only school in the area, South Lamar School serves the entire community of 624 students. Despite its "Alternative" classification, it functions as a comprehensive PK-12 school and posts a strong 95.1% graduation rate, exceeding both district and state averages. The school shows notable academic strengths, particularly in elementary literacy and upper-grade science. For instance, 3rd grade English proficiency is an exceptional 86.27%, which is more than 21 points above the state average, and 11th grade science proficiency (51.28%) dramatically outperforms both district and state levels. The school also saw impressive year-over-year gains in 11th grade across all subjects, with English jumping nearly 18 points. However, there are clear areas of concern. The most significant is a "middle school dip," where 7th grade math proficiency plummeted to just 33.33%, a 38-point drop from the 6th grade level. Additionally, 5th grade math experienced a sharp 21.79-point decline year-over-year, and chronic absenteeism stands at 19.2%, notably higher than the state's 12.0% average.

For parents, this data paints a picture of a school that performs well in the early grades and upper-level sciences but struggles with consistency during the middle school transition. With 44.39% of students receiving free/reduced lunch, South Lamar School outperforms state averages in most tested areas despite its socioeconomic challenges, suggesting effective instructional practices in many subjects. The volatility in certain grades, particularly 5th and 7th, may warrant attention, but the school's overall trajectory—especially the strong graduation rate and dramatic improvements in 11th grade—indicates a dedicated staff working to support student success across this rural community.